Keizer, Marion County Formalize Agreement to Use County Inmate Work Crews

The crews could prove very useful to clean-up neighborhood parks, and houses on properties purchased recently by the city

Inmates will leave these confines to help Keizer, saving taxpayers and giving inmates a chance to put something back

(Keizer) - The city of Keizer has formalized an agreement with Marion County that will mean an increased number of inmate crews working on projects in and around the city.

Keizer city manager Chris Eppley says the city has used the crews before and it's works well for their growing city, `From a financial standpoint, it is a great deal for the city. We`re paying a low amount for high-quality work."

For $400 a day, the city can use an eight-man crew at a job site for 10 hours. Eppley says it is a great opportunity and Keizer officials are pleased with the new arrangement.

The crews likely will be used to clean up city parks and other public spaces, including preparing the area that will become Keizer Rapids Park in West Keizer.

Crews can also be deployed to jobs that require painting, building maintenance, road maintenance and new construction.

Marion County will provide supervision for all inmate work crews any time they are employed in Keizer.