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Jan. 3, 2000
Sentence-to-Service puts offenders to workProgram benefits clients, taxpayers, and countyBy SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- The Sentence-to-Service Program is giving non-violent offenders a chance to help the community and also the opportunity to work while they are paying their debt to society. "It's definitely a good program," said Brown County Crewleader Don Klaviter, "It's one of those programs that's a win-win situation all the way around. The clients benefit, the taxpayers benefit, and the county benefits from it." The program began 12 years ago as a joint-effort, test-pilot project between the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Department of Corrections. It involved Brown, Nicollet and Blue Earth counties. At its onset, there were three crew leaders. "The program has grown," said Klaviter, "Now there are approximately 90 crew leaders." Klaviter leads a group of approximately one to eight people depending on the day because some offenders have commitments to other employers. "The program is structured for individuals who need to have some supervision," said Klaviter, "The basics of the program haven't changed too much other than it's grown." Men and women work on the Sentence-to-Service crew, although there are usually fewer women on the crews, according to Klaviter. The Sentence-to-Service Program is equally funded by the county and Minnesota Department of Corrections. In 1998, the Sentence-to-Service Program had approximately 75 offenders participating. They completed 4,278 hours of work. The Sentence-to-Service crews have worked on projects like creating three county parks from bare land. These parks are Treml Park in Leavenworth Township, Lost Dog and Fox Hunters Park near New Ulm, and Mound Creek park near the Wellner-Hageman Dam. Last summer the crew worked at the fairgrounds removing some shingles and doing some painting. "Recently, we just put in some steps for a canoe landing by Springfield," said Klaviter. Retired County Commissioner Charles Griebel serves on the Sentence-to-Service Committee. He has been involved with the project from its beginning stages. "Personally, I think its one of the best programs," said Griebel, "I'm very proud of the program for what it's done for the taxpayers and the people in the program." Griebel said the project started as a very small project with $30,000 and a few small grants. Referrals of potential participants come from probation officers, District Court Judge Terri Stoneburner and jail coordinator. The judge has the ultimate say on who gets to participate in the program. "It benefits everybody," said Klaviter, "Individuals get work accomplished, and it saves the taxpayers some money and the individuals feel good about getting out for the day."
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