Rock County Program Seeks To Reduce Number Of Inmates In Jail

JANESVILLE, Wis. -- Rock County is starting a program aimed at reducing the number of inmates in its jail and cutting incarceration costs.

Starting in June, the Workender program will allow nonviolent inmates to stay at home during the week without disrupting employment or family life. But on weekends, they will report to the sheriff's office for community service work, WISC-TV reported.

Sheriff Robert Spoden said the program is the first of its kind in Wisconsin.

The initial work crews will have about 20 inmates, officials said.