The Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office has developed a new initiative for incarcerated individuals, one that helps provide for the surrounding community and build skills for inmates’ eventual release. 

The latest initiative includes a roadside cleanup program, where inmates pick up trash, filling bags with litter from the county’s roadways. The effort has been a part of the county’s jail program since 2019, and has recently expanded, getting traction on the Sheriff’s social media accounts. 

“It gives [inmates] an opportunity to get out of an environment that’s not conducive to good mental health,” said Crenshaw County Sheriff Terry Mears. “it gives them an opportunity to get outside, get some fresh air and do something positive for the community and the county instead of sitting idle. They want to learn a skill so they can give something back to society whenever they get out.” 

With the roadside cleanup program, citizens of Crenshaw County are encouraged to notify the sheriff’s office of what roads and areas they believe need to be cleaned up. After selecting a spot, the jail transports eligible volunteers to the site to clear the area.

So far, inmates have cleaned around six miles of county roads, with almost 50 bags of trash cleared in total. 

The incarcerated individuals are not alone on the roadways during cleanup, and jail administrator Angel Hebert said that she and other correctional officers are with them during the detail.

“We’re walking on foot and I walk with them so they’re not walking alone,” Hebert said. “We have a vehicle in the front, we have a vehicle in the back and we have an officer walking in the middle. So every step they [take], I [take] as well,” 

Hebert said that initiatives like the roadside cleanup provide inmates with practical skills like teamwork, discipline and the importance of public cleanliness. 

Additionally, Hebert said she finds that engaging in meaningful work, like roadside cleanup, volunteering with elderly citizens and or helping out at Animal Tails Animal Shelter can have a positive impact on an individual’s mental health. 

“Me being out there personally with them — from having to deal with them in the jail versus on the roadside — I can see where it has helped them, especially with the accomplishment [and] the feeling of pride. They really do feel good afterwards,” Hebert said. “They’re up and ready before I get to work, ready to go. This is not something forcefully put on them, they look forward to doing it.
“At the end of the day, when everything is said and done, they’ll stop me getting in the truck, [because] I forgot to get [a photo]. On the last day, [they said], ‘Hey, don’t forget our picture.’” 

Chief Deputy Chris Stewart urges drivers traveling on roads work crews are picking up garbage to slow down as they pass by. Despite alerts posted on social media, Stewart reports cars speed by as they pass incardinated individuals and law enforcement staff on the roadside. 

Mears said he is grateful for Crenshaw County Commissioners for their support with the roadside cleanup initiative. 

“I would like to thank all of the county commissioners for their support in this endeavor,” Mears said. “They gave us vehicles and [Raymond McGough] donated some [trash] grabbers for us,” the Sheriff said. 

The office is also partnering with Judge Jon Folmar to fulfill a community request for help with cleaning area cemeteries. Soon, Folmar said, inmates will be engaged in cemetery cleanup and the judge invites citizens or groups to submit tips for graveyards in need of the service.

To request cemetery cleanup, contact the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office or call Folmar’s office at (334) 335-6568.