The Lee County Board of Supervisors, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, and the Mississippi Department of Corrections are working together on a program called “Works,” according to a March 25 announcement. The initiative provides state inmates with opportunities for supervised manual labor while delivering public service to Lee County and its municipalities.
The program aims to keep local roads clean and support civic events by involving inmates in tasks such as litter removal, event setup, and assistance at charitable activities. For example, an eight-man trash crew worked 1,460 hours in 2025, collecting over 16,000 bags of trash. Barry Parker, president of the Lee County Board of Supervisors, said: “The Lee County Works Program is crucial to Lee County. The roads in Lee County would not be as clean as they are without the assistance of these State inmates. I can’t say enough about how important that program is to the cleanliness of our county.”
Inmates who participate must have non-violent felony convictions and agree to perform manual labor in exchange for living in a dormitory-style setting at the Old Lee County Jail on Front Street. They remain under supervision by sheriff’s deputies but benefit from being outside during weekdays and may work toward parole or early release.
During 2025 alone, more than 4,000 bags of trash were collected along state roads through this effort. The county received $8,000 from the state for supervising participants. Inmates also contributed labor at food pantries, fundraisers, senior events, state parks, charitable organizations activities and other county needs.
Sheriff Jim Johnson oversees the Work Center where participation is voluntary; inmates must follow all Mississippi Department of Corrections rules and can receive family visits on Sunday afternoons. Johnson said: “Participating inmates can come from anywhere in the state, and not just the immediate area. We have had this program in place since about 2007, and it has been a benefit to Lee County plus a benefit to those who volunteer to participate in this program.”
Supporters say programs like “Works” provide valuable services while giving eligible inmates structured opportunities that may aid their rehabilitation.
