Jasper School Corporation recognizes community corrections program as essential

Nancy Habig, president of the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Board, presented Dubois County Corrections with a certificate of appreciation for the volunteers from the Work Release program. Work Release Supervisor Tammy Lampert accepted the certificate for the department.

During Hacker’s report on Tenth Street School he acknowledged the tremendous savings the school corporation had realized through the use of the volunteers from the Dubois County Work Release Program.

The inmates worked on major landscaping and renovation projects at the school buildings in the district. Hacker says the work release program has been a cost saving venture, but it also has benefits from the workers themselves.

The work release inmates worked with school board member Bernie Vogler, “Mr. Hacker and I have worked together to organize it. Either he or I is there when they are working,” he said. “Heck, I have met some really neat people. We’ve helped them get jobs after they got out.”

Voegler said on the Tenth Street School project they had about 30 people in the program. Another 15 helped with preparing the football field. Vogler stated many of these individuals have great talents and skills and were able to complete the projects with little supervision. “They did the sign at the Cabby O’neill Gym. I was just there,” Vogler said.

School Board President Nancy Habig presented Dubois County Corrections with a certificate of appreciation for the program. Work Release Supervisor Tammy Lampert accepted the certificate for the department.

Lampert thanked the Jasper School Corporation for the opportunity to take part in the program. “It’s a win-win situation, they (inmates) are providing service hours, which saves you money, they are developing job skills, they are developing pro social and positive relationships,” she said. “They get to hear ‘job well done’. What that does for them can’t even be put into words.”

Dr. Lorey stated the inmates have volunteered countless hours to many projects that Greater Jasper Schools could not have accomplished without the inmates’ help.

Work release volunteers have worked on Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium, Cabby O’Neill Gymnasium, Ruxer Field, Tenth Street School and Fifth Street School.

Vogler stated the inmates must be employed before they can volunteer for the program. “So, they are doing this work in their outside of their regular jobs.”

Hacker stated inmates are regulated to not come into contact with any students of the school corporation at all times.