Also truecitizen- RECAP and Workender are two different classifications of inmates. Not everyone is eligible for the Workender Program.

If you want statistics, go on the Rock County website

Truecitizen: before you go hating on me again....I also realize that the article is about the Workender program and a new bus for same.....I was just commenting on what a good job I think Rock County is doing with all of these programs.

truecitizen: my son is currently in the RECAP program in the jail and is benefitting from the programs I mentioned earlier. He has been in jail since January 20th of 2009 and no, he is not in there for a speeding ticket. I realize that most of the inmates are in jail for much more serious offenses than speeding tickets. But, tell me this, if it were you, would you not want your child/loved one to get all the help and direction that he/she could before re-entering society? I stand by what I said from experience, and still maintain that in my opinion Rock County is doing an awesome job working to rehabilitate and prepare inmates for re-entry into our community.

I meant "misleading". To further elaborate. I am thinking the sheriff's office and police departments should do the 'posting' of the statistics, not anyone else who has that information, so that we all know what is being "worked off" or sat out in jail etc. This information should be disseminated to the public, but accordingly. Hopefully it won't be in a swagger, like so many do when they have a system to protect. Just plain facts. Then make your opinions about it!

AMG and NICE...I'm sorry but you are misled. It isn't working and is only a mileading topic. Most of these offenders are not the common joe, and I'm sick of people referring to 'speeding' tickets and such, because nearly none of these offenders are of this painted-picture you have. You simply don't know. Besides if one can get a ticket, then they can pay for it. (And remember two sentences ago....they are not usually simple speeding tickets...)
*
I tell you what...let's start posting the statistics of the specific fines/ charges being 'worked off' and the average offender's past incarceration etc. This can be done without naming names too! I believe as taxpayers we should know what is what if it is going to be 'sold' to us like this!
*
AMG...that post of yours sounds like typical administrator or political tripe. We are talking about the "BUS" and the "WORKENDER" program anyway! Besides the other things you mentioned are simply failures too. The public will only see a few cherry picked moments such as the crews cleaning up the river banks, and never see the other side of it. Nearly everyone of them reoffend too. To hear anything else is self pandering, and misleading.
*
I am all for having offenders change their lives, but I will only accept realism until it happens. I am not negative, you have no idea what (almost everyone of) these offenders are like, in reality. They lie through their teeth, smile at the common person on the street and then laugh at you while plannning their new criminal gestures. For those of you with direct involvement in any of these work crews.....simply follow the offender's progress over the next few years and you'll see.
*
By the way, most of the 'work ender' subjects are in between jail sentences for other crimes, or have at least been in jail. When they are not getting judgements from the court, probation etc, they are busy getting tickets and not paying for them.
*
I want to see positive change, and I believe many of these offenders could do it. It will not happen by living in a make-believe world called fluff-land, produced by people who are not in reality. By the way, this county (Rock) has way too many offenders considering it's general population. Why?

It better have seat belts!

I believe Rock County is doing an awesome job in its jail system working with inmates that can be rehabilitated. It is my opinion that it gives them that much more of a chance at making better choices when they are released, and I think Rock County is very wise to recognize this. I'm especially impressed with the RECAP system within the jail. They offer full rehab services as well as some life skills education and the opportunity to do community services. The community service that is performed benefits the community too. All in all, I give Rock County a big thumbs up for their insight, compassion and dedication to the community.

truecitizen- I understand what your saying but think about the average joe (who isn't a common criminal) that gets a speeding ticket and can't pay it because they've been laid off from their job. I think the Workender program is a great idea and not only does it free up space in the jail for the people who deserve to be there, it's saving the tax payers money. Also it's a chance for organizations in Rock County to get some much needed help.

bring back the chain gang

Just keep them lock'ed in a 4 by 4 cell for the time they receive no tv no radio no window's . they will learn to be good or never get out

These people are still a drain on our society. Many will simply continue causing police attention. We should focus on how to deter this mentality, as well as figuring out how to get our money's worth from them, for the costs they inflict on the tax payers. Prior to this, they were using other transportation, already in place, for this program anyway.
*
These people continue their life's patterns without ceasing, minus a few exceptions. They create the incident, get cited, and then refuse to pay for it. Only after it becomes a warrant (basically contempt of the courts), then they have to get caught while having a warrant on them, then THEY get to decide of they are going to sit it out or pay it off while working for a somewhat costly program which has liabilities....yada yada yada. The amount of transaction which takes place for one individual with one unpaid ticket....is crazy!
*
If (we) don't cite them, then their behavior goes unchecked. Many times, these individuals were given a fine to pay in lieu of not going to jail, and the officer(s) were attmpting to relieve the curcuit court pressure with a municipal charge rather than a criminal one (some officer discretion applys here).
*
We are making this a joke. It all seems like an unneccesary song and dance because some people can't or won't control themselves. So what are the alternatives? I say let us stop giving in to this, and making more beauracracy than is needed.
*
Ideas like this "bus" just sound good to uninformed people.

plus when thay are not working thay dont stay at the jall

Sannio, they do it because they don't have to sit 24-hours a day in a cell for every day their sentence is and in trade, work 8 hours doing community service work. It seems all involved get a good deal out of it.

There's a lot of positive things coming from the Sheriff's Dept. lately. I like the increased community involvement of some inmates, and diversion programs. One question though, What motivates someone to work off their fine rather than sit it out?

Kind of refreshing that they didn't blow ten times as much money on a brand spanking new bus.