Washoe County Sheriff's Office Community Work Program

The Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) will help communities improve the capacity of state and local justice systems and provide for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. This competitive grant announcement focuses on initiatives in eight areas: 1) preventing and reducing violent crime through community-based data-driven approaches; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based probation and parole officers; 3) reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties; 4) hiring of civilian support personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts, dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving resources and services for victims of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8) national training and technical assistance partnerships.

Under category 2, Washoe County, in conjunction with the Sheriff's Office, will use the grant award to maintain the Sheriff's Community Work Program (SCWP), which was developed to provide an innovative approach to incarceration and reduce prison overcrowding. SCWP is the least restrictive of the entire Sheriff's Alternatives to Incarceration Unit (AIU) programs. It is one component of AIU that places inmates back into the community with the understanding that they will serve the remainder of their sentences with community service. Due to recent budget cuts, AIU lost a sergeant and three deputy positions. It is expected that hiring three additional deputies will allow for at least two deputies to be on duty at all times. As warrant service is a primary duty for AIU deputies, the two-deputy concept takes on a heightened safety importance for the officers.

CA/NCF