The City of Lubbock works tightly with the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office to help inmates in the Lubbock County Detention Center get a job after they serve their time.
Some inmates on the work crew mow lawns at a cemetery or work at a landfill. One inmate says he enjoys the program a lot.
“I actually made a mistake and I came in here and I actually learn something,” the inmate said. “Never ridden a mower actually and they actually let me ride a mower. Actually learned how to ride a mower. Used a lot of different types of tools.”
The inmates have to match certain criteria they cannot be incarcerated for certain charges, and they have to be on minimum to medium security.
“We create that routine for them. We make them get up at a certain time they have somewhere to be. They have a project to work on, and we coordinate those projects through the city,” said Captain Ryan Braus, LSO director of programs.
If the inmates work hard enough, they can get letters of recommendation and job referrals.
“It gives them a sense of ownership. It’s their way of giving back to the community. They see it as service as if they’re actually doing their time,” said Braus.
For this inmate, he is ready to face the real world with a job offer from the city.
“It ain’t easy to get out and just get a job. It’s not that easy, especially if you’re coming outside of jail, but I got a job from there so I will definitely keep it. I will definitely keep it. I love it. I love it,” said the inmate.
The city is even considering expanding the program to help more inmates get jobs after they get out of the system.
