Jail Programming Options to Help Reduce Recidivism

In an attempt to reduce the number of people who reoffend in Sauk County and, ultimately reduce the cost to taxpayers to house offenders, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office employs several programs aimed at initiating change in the lives of inmates.  The following provides a description of the programs available to inmates:

Community Service – Qualified offenders perform work for approximately 16 non-profit and/or governmental sites in Sauk County.  All work is performed under the supervision of a representative from the job site which includes training.  Examples of work performed may include picking up trash, gardening, mowing, construction, cleaning, pruning, etc.  Offenders provide approximately 10,000 hours of service per year.

Inmate Sentence Reduction Program – The Inmate Sentence Reduction Program, (ISRP), provides qualified offenders the opportunity to work time off their sentence.  These work details take place both inside and outside of the Sauk County Law Enforcement Center as well as for some participants of the Community Service program.  Examples of ISRP work details include weeding, mowing, kitchen duty, laundry, cleaning, snow removal, etc.

Educational Programming – Educational opportunities available to inmates are:

• Employability
• Family Violence
• Parenting
• Anger Management
• AODA
• GED
• HSED

Nursing Students – Student nurses conduct classes for offenders on topics that will benefit them both upon release and during their incarceration.  Class topics include:

• Men’s Health
• Art
• Parenting
• Yoga
• Exercise
• Relaxation
• Music
• CPR

Electronic Monitoring Program (EMP) – Qualified, low risk offenders may serve their sentence at home under this program.  They undergo frequent home visits by the EMP deputy as well as occasional drug and alcohol testing.