ALTERNATIVE INCARCERATIONS
SHED/SPLD gives prisoners an opportunity to serve their sentences while doing something productive for society and saving County taxpayers thousands of dollars. They learn new skills, increase self respect, and have a stronger support system because they are able to live at home with family members.
In addition, SHED/SPLD frees much-needed jail space for more violent offenders.
In 2007, 439 prisoners successfully completed the programs and provided over 114,000 hours of labor to the community. (At minimum wage, that is a cost-savings to the County of over $800,000.) There were 26 escapes from the program; 20 of those were subsequently recaptured. Several inmates have been hired for permanent employment by their program employers.
2008 numbers look to match or increase those figures.
SHED - Sheriff’s Home Electronic Detention
SHED is more commonly referred to as “ankle monitoring.” Low-risk prisoners that meet eligibility requirements (SHED Requirements), are able to live at home, under full house arrest, while wearing one of two types of monitors: Radio Frequency or Global Positioning Satellite. In 2007 the program expanded to accommodate 175 prisoners. Prisoners are assigned to a Salt Lake County Deputy and required to check in once each week in-person with that deputy. All SHED prisoners adhere to a strict schedule of work and home hours. The monitoring equipment generates an alert notification if the prisoner leaves home without authorization, tampers with the equipment, disconnects the phone line, or unplugs the monitoring unit.
The new GPS units are internet-based and can be used by prisoners who do not have a land line in their home and offer the additional benefit of being able to be programmed with Inclusion and Exclusion Zones, meaning the unit will notify the supervising deputy if the prisoner approaches a victim’s residence, a known drug house, or some other restricted area.
Qualifying SHED prisoners are required to work on an SPLD (see below) crew for a minimum of twelve weeks to offset the cost of participation. During these initial twelve weeks, prisoners may be allowed to work an additional part-time job after fulfilling their other requirements. After the first twelve weeks, prisoners are allowed full-time outside employment.
SPLD - Sheriff's Prisoner Labor Detail
SPLD prisoners are required to report to the jail each weekday to work on a labor crew, supervised by a County Corrections Officer. The officers conduct daily roll call and provide direct supervision to their crews. These crews handle jail laundry and landscaping/cleaning projects at the Jail and in many other County facilities.
Other work sites include the County Landfill and Transfer Station, Herriman City, Riverton City, Bluffdale City, and Holladay City. These outside entities pick up the prisoners assigned to them at the jail each morning and return them each evening.
For more information regarding the Alternative Incarcerations Programs, contact:
Sgt. Russell Young
(801) 743-5177
ryoung@slco.org