A program using inmates from the Aroostook County Jail is providing much-needed physical labor for projects throughout the County. Acting Aroostook County Sheriff Shawn Gillen says tasks vary, from unloading trucks, handling food, baling clothing and moving furniture to planting and harvesting vegetables, painting or picking up trash.

Participants are selected by his staff, based on certain qualifications. Gillen says it's a win-win situation, teaching inmates responsibility, while reducing their sentence and thus the burden to taxpayers.

"Every two days that they work in the program, that's a day off their sentence," said Gillen. "It gets them out, it gets them some fresh air, it benefits the community with the labor that they wouldn't typically be able to get."

Dixie Shaw, Hunger and Relief Services Program Director for Catholic Charities of Maine, tells people who've expressed concern that she's had no problems with any of the inmates she's worked with.

"These are people at a certain level in their stay," said Shawl. "These are people who are deemed to be appropriate by the county jail to come out with me and spend the day."

Those taking part in the program take their work seriously.

"They're thrilled and honored to have this opportunity, and they work really, really hard and put in a really hard day's work, and it's good for them, it's good for us, and it's good for the people that we serve," Shaw continued.

Shaw says this is a chance for participants to make amends for past actions.

"This is an opportunity for them to give back. And sometimes they've taken from communities, so I think it's a really positive thing for them and us."

Shaw says participants get to see law enforcement from a different perspective, working side-by-side through this volunteer effort. She says it's a teaching tool, instilling a sense of being part of something greater than themselves.

Shaw says "If you give to your community, you're less likely to take from your community."