Details of the Carbon County community service program at the prison have been finalized.

This means that Carbon County municipalities and nonprofit groups can now use work-release-eligible inmates to help complete projects.On Wednesday, the county prison board officials said the paperwork has been adjusted and how the program will operate has been finalized. The board voted last month to reinstate the community service program, which aims to use work release eligible inmates for community projects, as well as litter cleanup along highways."We can begin working with municipalities with whatever they need," warden Timothy Fritz told the board.Frank Shubeck, work release/treatment director, who voiced concerns over the board's decision to not provide an officer for supervision while the inmates are out in the community, again said that this is one concern he still has, but will work to make sure things work properly."From time to time we may have some infractions," he said. "But we will take care of them as they come up."Currently, the group using the inmates will be required to provide transportation and supervision of the inmates that will be working on a project. In the past, an officer went out with the group to oversee that no problems occur.Shubeck will make spot checks at the project sites now.Robert Crampsie, county controller, said he didn't see a problem with not having an officer there to supervise, because these same type of people go out to jobs and are not supervised by an officer, but rather the employer.Shubeck said he understood Crampsie's thought, but said the difference between the work-release program where inmates go out to a job is that screwing up on the job means risking both freedom and their career and future; whereas the work-release detail for the community service program only risks getting paid $1 a day for their work and the opportunity to get out of the jail for a few hours a day.Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard, president of the prison board, said he feels this is a win for everyone."These people are sitting here looking at four walls every day," he said. "We have litter from one end of the county to the other, so why not put them to work. We're going to give this a try and see what happens."Inmates who are eligible for the program include minimal offenders such as people in for DUIs, thefts, probation violations and sometimes domestic violations. Inmates are screened to make sure they meet all guidelines before becoming eligible for the program and must have served at least half of their sentence unless a judge rules otherwise.Municipalities and groups who can utilize the program can be anyone from fire companies to community enrichment programs or churches for anything from cleaning up after a block party to cutting grass or painting.Shubeck said so far two groups have approached him and will be using the inmates for various projects.Municipalities and organizations interested in using the work-release inmates for community projects can contact Shubeck at 570-325-2211.In other matters, the board approved the hiring of James Youngkin Sr. as the deputy warden, effective July 13.Youngkin fills the vacant position created in March when former deputy warden Timothy Fritz, who was serving as acting warden, was promoted to warden.Youngkin has a long history with the county, serving 24 years in the correction system with three of those as warden before retiring on March 16, 2010.His salary will be set at the monthly meeting of the Carbon County Salary Board next month.