The Offender Work Program is an alternative to incarceration program that
substitutes community labor, rather than incarceration, for carefully selected
jail bound offenders.
The program diverts non-serious offenders to a community work project, under
direct job-site supervision. The work is performed for municipalities and
not-for-profit agencies in Oneida County and consists of painting, general
maintenance, landscaping, carpentry, masonry and/or other labor-intensive work.
The program is authorized under the New York State Penal Law Sec. 65.10 Sub 2
(h): “The court shall as a condition of sentence, consider restitution or
reparation and may, as a condition of the sentence require that the defendant..
perform services for a public or not-for-profit corporation, association,
institution or agency...”
An eleven member Oneida County Offender Work Program Advisory Board must approve
all work requests. Board members represent both government and private
interests:
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Bricklayer’s & Allied Craftsmen - Local #47
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Board of Legislatures
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Carpenter’s Local #120
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Community Representative
-
County Executive’s Office
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District Attorney’s Office
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Laborer’s International Union of North America - Local #35
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Painters Local #31
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Probation Department
-
Sheriff’s Office
To be eligible for the program, an offender must be:
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Facing a sentence of 30 days or more in the Oneida County Correctional Facility
- or -
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A violator of non-supervised community service - or -
-
Released early from jail through the Conditional Release Commission - or -
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Not otherwise involved in programming.
All offenders are carefully screened before acceptance into the program. Through
physical labor, these offenders are given the opportunity to make reparation to
the community, while at the same time be punished for their crimes.
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The program operates Monday through Friday, evenings and Saturdays.
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Offenders are transported from designated locations in Oneida County, to all
work sites.
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The program promotes a high degree of safety.
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Direct on-site supervision insures the sentence is carried out.
-
For additional sentences, offenders can also be offered house arrest through
twenty-four electronic monitoring.
The Offender Work Program offers many benefits to Oneida County taxpayers,
community agencies and municipalities, the criminal justice system and
offenders:
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Provides judges and justices an alternative sentencing.
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Provides labor to build/repair/improve community agency and municipal
properties.
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Saves taxpayers $90.00 each day the offender is sentenced to the program.
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Provides individual work skills and work habits to some who have never held a
job.
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Helps individuals secure paying jobs, eliminating the need for social programs.
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Provides an assessment of workers’ capabilities for employment opportunities.
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Provides direct training and supervision in construction and other
labor-intensive work.
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Helps develop positive attitudes, self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.
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Reduces jail overcrowding and improves jail utilization for more serious
offenders.
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Allows offenders the opportunity to maintain existing employment, education
and/or family ties, responsibilities and obligations through program
flexibility.
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Reduces offender dependency on institutionalization.
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Promotes work ethics, work adjustment training and socialization
For additional information:
Phil Chandler, Director - Oneida County Sheriff's Office Offender Work
Program
(315) 765-2299