Jail Industries Board receives Governor's Award for Service and Quality Improvement

State and Local Offenders Cleaning up Litter and Illegally Dumped Materials

Data from the October 2000 publication Governing for Results 12 indicate that the litter problem in our state has been steadily increasing in the past four years. In a recent report released by Ecology, it was estimated that 25 percent of the litter and illegally dumped materials is being picked up. In one effort to increase the amount picked up, Ecology created the Community Litter Cleanup Program. This program provides funding to local governments to prioritize litter cleanup in their communities. The Department of Corrections contracts with local governments to provide the equipment, tools, supplies and offender crews to clean up litter and illegal dumps. The Jail Industries Board provides technical assistance to communities to start local jail-based cleanup programs.

Results:

• A 352% increase in the pounds of litter picked up, a 479% increase in road miles cleaned, and 1170% increase in acreage cleaned.
• In calendar year 1999, correctional crews worked 117,450 hours to pick up litter and illegally dumped materials.
• Jail bed days saved: 4,893 at $50 per day = $244,650.
• Labor value to the communities: 117,450 hours at $5.70 per hour = $669,465.