BAKERSFIELD, CA - Kern County inmates are coming to clean a highway near you. The Sheriff's Department has agreed to help with the litter cleanup problem, tackling areas others can't.
More than a year ago, state prisoners stopped highway cleanups due to prison realignment. Now, county inmates will start to pick up the slack as part of a larger effort to clean up litter in our community.
"It's dirty, but I love it," said Rudie Ramay, a Kern County inmate on the cleanup crew. "I love being out there."
It's a way for inmates to give back.
"Giving to the community, you know, that makes you feel good," said Harry Clark, a Kern County inmate on the cleanup crew.
Twice a week, a crew of ten goes out to a location to rid the area of litter.
"It's pretty nasty," said Clark who said he find needles, dirty diapers, and other things.
The effort started last month and is funded right now in full by the Kern County Sheriff's Department.
"The sheriff is committed to putting inmates to work to help clean up the trash," said Lt. Greg Gonzales, Kern County Sheriff's Department.
The inmates clean up illegal dump sites and Highways 58, 99 and 178 where they focus on the medians. According to Caltrans, that is an area that poses more risk than the shoulders, but it's safe for the inmates in reflective vests.
The Sheriff's Department assures the public the inmates pose no safety risks either.
"These are drug users, burglars, low level offenders and other small-time felons that are doing county time now," said Lt. Gonzales.
In two day,s inmates picked up 220 bags of trash.
"When we got through it, it was like wow look what we did," said Clark.
"Growing up in Bakersfield I don't like seeing how dirty it is," said Ramay. "I don't like it, and even when I get out I plan on doing something about it."
Ramay said that could include volunteering on other cleanups and spreading the word that littering isn't tolerated.
"Believe me I'd like to catch them," said Ramay. "God have Mercy on their soul because I sure wouldn't."
Kern Council of Governments is considering giving the Sheriff's Department $100,000 to continue the cleanup.