CRANSTON, R.I. – September 5, 2006 – Upon reading about the efforts of the non-profit organization “Clean the Bay” in the Providence Journal earlier this month, staff members in the Director’s Office at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections decided to respond to the call for help. They got in touch with Clean the Bay’s Ed Hughes, who was thrilled to learn of their interest, and the wheels were set in motion.
Under the supervision of a Correctional Officer, a crew of a half dozen or so Minimum Security inmates sets out at about 8:30 a.m. for a site designated by the Clean the Bay staff and works until about 2 p.m. picking up debris and leaving it in piles to be bagged and hauled away. Thus far, they have completed clean-ups at Goddard Park and near Randall St. in Warwick Neck.
“Our biggest concern has always been the crews that come behind us,” notes Clean the Bay’s Ed Hughes. “Finding volunteers who are available on a consistent basis has been our biggest challenge. When RIDOC stepped up to the plate, that really helped us make things happen.”
Inmate crews will continue helping with the clean-up project as long as they are needed. “This is one way our inmates can give something back to the community,” notes RIDOC’s director A.T. Wall. “It helps them to do something they can feel good about it, and it supports an important cause within our state. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”