Jail ends underutilized work release program

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - Mesa County jail is ending its underutilized work release program this summer.

KJCT-TV reports (https://bit.ly/1Wk3Hyg) Mesa County Sheriff Matt Lewis announced the plan Friday.

Inmates taking part in the program are able to hold jobs in the community while serving time.

Lewis said the almost $1 million program wasn’t worth the cost for such a small population of inmates.

The 89-bed facility has 25 inmates.

Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein says possible alternatives include jail time, home detention, public service hours, or neighboring work release programs.

Rubinstein said the desire is to maintain options that keep people stable and employed.

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Information from: KJCT-TV, https://www.kjct8.com/