BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — Benton County inmates have been out all week helping to cleanup storm debris in the area after multiple tornadoes moved through Northwest Arkansas on May 26.
There are six different crews of inmates working all throughout the county picking up debris.
They're part of the Benton County Sheriff's Office's (BCSO) work detail crews. They work with nonprofits and different government buildings in a variety of areas.
BCSO public information officer Shannon Jenkins told 5NEWS that this job is sought after by inmates, and that it's one of many ways that the county is aiding in cleaning up the area.
"They are striving to make good decisions while they are in the detention center, because if they have any kind of disciplinary, they are not going to be able to be a part of these teams. So what it really does is it actually encourages them to make better decisions, to be leaders within their pods, so that they can get noticed and actually become a member of one of the work detail crews," Jenkins explained.
Jenkins adds that they have deputies working double shifts helping cleanup surrounding homes.
Crews are expected to be out around the county for the rest of the week.
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