By Janet O’Neill
Record Searchlight
RED BLUFF, Calif. — A plan to put a dozen work-release inmates on the job at a vehicle-maintenance shop advanced Tuesday, with Tehama County supervisors approving the lease of a 4,000-square-foot building on Antelope Boulevard.
Sheriff Dave Hencratt told the board he hoped it would be up and running by the end of the month.
Two inmates from Corning already are commuting by bus to clean up the place. “It’s kind of encouraging that we’ve motivated these two,” Hencratt said.
In May, supervisors backed the plan to use a little more than $45,000 in Assembly Bill 109 funds for startup costs and a year’s rent and utilities.
The new facility, endorsed by the county’s Community Corrections Partnership, is one response to the state’s push for alternatives to incarceration through its realignment program. It was a privately owned auto shop, with a wash rack, two lifts, compressor and other features.
The monthly rental cost is $2,000 and includes parking and office space.
“It needs a little TLC to make it the pristine shop we want it to be,” Hencratt said. The sheriff has said in addition to helping free jail space the shop will teach new skills to inmates, who will have to apply for the program and demonstrate a willingness to work.
Typical tasks envisioned include detailing, oil changes and tire inspections for Sheriff’s Office vehicles and depending how the program works, services could potentially expand to other county departments.
It needs a little TLC to make it the pristine shop we want it to be.” Dave Hencratt, Tehama County sheriff
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