Sheriff's Office

Work Release

Sheriff John R. Newhart was the first Sheriff in the Tidewater area to institute a formal Work Release Program. The present program has been in existence since 1972. Work Release allows an individual who has been sentenced to jail the ability to continue gainful employment and meet his legal obligation at the same time. A person may participate in Work Release only through a court order from the sentencing Judge. The Work Release counselors do a thorough background check of the individual and then make a recommendation to the Judge. Some of the stringent requirements include having a job, paying fines and costs, paying child support, not having any type of violent history, and being within six months of the individual's release date. The Sheriff's Office provides transportation to and from the job site. Additionally, Work Release Counselors make regular unannounced job site inspections. The benefits to the taxpayer are many. Individuals in this program pay taxes, are able to support themselves and their families, develop good work habits, and they even pay for their room and board at the jail!

For more information about work release, call (757) 382-6432.