Those beautiful intersections and roadways throughout Missouri benefit from the labor of those hoping to give back a little to the community they once harmed. No chain gangs. No hard labor. Just concerted effort under the supervision of the Missouri Department of Transportation by 340 low-security prisoners who, according to State Corrections Department Spokesman John Fougere, have just a little prison time left to serve. The Incarcerated Work Release Program has been in existence for 17 years. It staffs 65 MoDOT crews which pick up trash, cut grass, trim brush, anything to enhance the beauty of the intersections in the state. Fougere says Missouri benefits, and so do the offenders who participate. The Department of Corrections estimates the program has already done nearly $13-Million worth of work so far this year – labor that otherwise would go undone.
