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Denver inmates cleaning up yards for elderly on fixed incomes

By Judi Villa, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 23, 2008 at 6:52 p.m.
Updated October 23, 2008 at 6:52 p.m.

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Inmate Jose Baeza, 18, mows the lawn for 73-year-old retiree Augustine Narcisse at her home in Denver.

Judy Villa © The Rocky

Inmate Jose Baeza, 18, mows the lawn for 73-year-old retiree Augustine Narcisse at her home in Denver. "I don't know what I would do without them," Narcisse said. "You know you get old and slow and you do need the help."

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Augustine Narcisse has spent 30-some years in the tidy brick house on a well-kept Denver street.

But, as her children moved on and Narcisse grew older, then retired, it became too difficult for her to keep up the place.

The grass grew too long. The leaves piled up. Eventually, someone complained.

But instead of citing Narcisse and causing her more problems, Denver officials did something else — they sent inmates to Narcisse's home to clean it up for her.

"I don't know what I would do without them," said Narcisse, 73. "You know you get old and slow, and you do need the help."

Since May, Denver city jail inmates have been making weekly rounds to the homes of elderly and disabled residents who need help maintaining their yards.

"We take care of little minor issues," said Denver Sheriff's Deputy Michael Newtown. "If it's a tree branch that's fallen, or (at) a lot of homes, we'll take the trash out for them and stuff like that."

This winter, they'll shovel snow.

While it's common to use inmate crews to clean parks, roadways and other public areas, putting them to work at private homes is not.

Denver officials say this is a worthwhile public service. To be eligible, homeowners must be referred by neighborhood inspectors after someone has complained about their yard. They have to be on a fixed income, with no one else living in the home who could do the work.

But it's not just the homeowner who benefits, said Capt. Frank Gale.

'BREATH OF FRESH AIR'

"It's for the neighbors, too," Gale said. "Now they don't have to get the one house on the block that looks horrible."

This week, three inmates mowed Narcisse's yard, raked her leaves and swept her patio.

Isaiah Ferris, 21, who was sent to jail for 10 days for possessing marijuana and failing to appear in court, trimmed the grass from Narcisse's walkway.

"Far as, you know, being in jail, not even being able to see light, that's the main thing that bothers you in there," Ferris said. "We get to come outside and at least see the air, get a breath of fresh air."

It wasn't exactly hard labor, but by volunteering to work, Ferris could trim nine days from his sentence. He would be released that afternoon. Not a bad deal.

Newtown said the inmates are nonviolent offenders, ticketed for municipal infractions such as shoplifting, trespassing and disturbing the peace. One day of work cuts a sentence from 10 days to one, reducing the number of inmates in jail and cutting jail costs.

NEXT: SNOW REMOVAL

"It's positive all the way around," Newtown said. "The citizens of the community really get a benefit from it. The inmates, instead of sitting in jail, they're allowed to lessen their sentence by doing a day's work."

Currently, there are 44 people on the list for routine yard work. Newtown is responsible for 19 of those homes. Juvenile offender work crews handle the others. In addition, 80 people are on the list for snow removal.

Narcisse said an "idle mind is the devil's workshop," so she's happy to give inmates something to do.

Just how bad would her yard be without them? "Like you need to bring your shotgun to hunt rabbits," Narcisse laughed.

"They're a godsend," Narcisse said. "They're such a big help."

Ferris looked at Narcisse's now-clean yard, and he was proud.

"Just being able to help somebody that can't do it themselves," Ferris said, "it gives you a good feeling knowing that you did a good deed for the day."

Comments

  • October 23, 2008

    7:24 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    That's what it's all about...

  • October 23, 2008

    7:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ReallyJustCurious writes:

    I'm not so sure. Using those convicted of a crime at the homes of our most vulnerable citizens? Theft, trespassing, disturbing the peace? Kudos to those who will not transgress again, but I would be concerned that those who would again break the law would have names and addresses, and access.

  • October 23, 2008

    9:58 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    EZBakeOven writes:

    I really like this idea of giving back to those you've taken from. Some physical labor, some paying of dues and everybody wins.

  • October 23, 2008

    10:56 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tromiano writes:

    Wow - what kind of person complains on a neighbor who lives alone and is physically incapable of maintaining her property? How about, instead of complaining, volunteer your own time and actually be a good neighbor? Maybe even get a group of neighbors together to come and help from time to time? Far too many are willing to complain, and far too few are willing to help.

    I like the idea of public service for criminals, but I agree there can be issues with inviting them to private properties. I had a friend who used to volunteer at youth detention facilities: 10 years ago, two of the youths he helped came to his house and murdered him. I'd rather see this program as part of a volunteer effort for highschool and college kids; let inmates work on public properties instead.

  • October 24, 2008

    12:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Vampyre writes:

    Tromiano? thats a good suggestion about high school, and college kids. But, don't you think that this idea has been broached already? and you know what? because of the way kids are raised, with computer games, and playstation 2's, and x box's. They could care less about the lederly. Kids are more concerned about what you, or I can do for them and forget about what they can do for someone else.
    This program is good for the elderly, and it is good for those that are in trouble with the law.
    If you had read the article Michael Newton of the Denver Sheriff's Department said " inmates are nonviolent offenders, ticketed for such municipal infractions like shoplifting, disturbing the peace, and trespassing. There isn't anything in these type of infractions, or offenses that suggest that these young men are going to come back and murder someone.
    Quit blowing things out of proportion, or for that matter making an ant hill out of a mole hill.
    It seems there is ALWAYS someone that has to put in their two cents worth, and down grade a program even if it is thru the Sheriff's Department and it has to do with folks doing something worthwhile for those in need.

  • October 24, 2008

    4:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BenchBoss writes:

    This is not something I would normally post. If not for what happened to a family friend. In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Jeff Smith met Joe McMillan (elderly) through a similar program. I don't think there was anything in Mr. Smith's history to indicate this could happen. I don't mean to be a naysayer - just relating what happened to an associate of my father. He got out and......

    Tracy Lee Vreeland/WBTW News13
    Published: November 1, 2007
    A judge set bond for the man police say killed an 83-year-old Socastee man and stuffed his body into the trunk of a car. Jeffrey Smith's bond on robbery, forgery, fraud and probation violation was set at $42,000.He will have another bond hearing for the murder charge. Investigators say Smith used Joseph McMillan’s credit cards after he went missing. Police found McMillan’s body in a car behind Akels Restaurant Saturday. Investigators say McMillan was killed in his Socastee home.
    Count on News13 to follow this story.

  • October 24, 2008

    6:52 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    When I walked out the gate at Raiford, I was not allowed to speak, address, nor interfere with the family and children of the gaurds. I was sent to do what I was told to do. I enjoyed the freedom I was given outside the prison walls, I earned that honor. I enjoyed the sunshine while picking up pecans in the orchards around the prison unsupervised because I earned that honor. After a violent misunderstanding, I was left unattended in a freeworld hospital to be stitched up, no chain nor cuffs for 2 days as they had to operate on my nerve damage. I earned that honor. Today I watch over millions in liquid assets unattended, trusted to teach the next generation of a family, because I earned that honor. If you want to reform someone, start by having him rebuild the honor he lost, especially while he's in society's custody. Your going to find this insane; but I valued my time spent at Raiford, I learned a lot about people and honor.

  • October 24, 2008

    7:17 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    HoosierGuy writes:

    tromiano writes:

    Wow - what kind of person complains on a neighbor who lives alone and is physically incapable of maintaining her property?

    T,
    I work in county govt. and see this all the time. Sadly someone would much rather call me to take care of their problem (they are concerned "about the children in the neighborhood" but property values concerns are mentioned as well) than go help a neighbor.

  • October 24, 2008

    7:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    HollyGoLightly writes:

    Tromino, you obviously haven't met the "yard nazi" that lives behind me. This guy and his wife are the worst when it comes to complaining about yards. Never mind that theirs isn't exactly stellar itself.
    What I find sad in this case is that the woman has children and they haven't volunteered to help their mother. Even if they live out of state, they could still pay a landscaping company to come help her. I can not fathom doing such a thing to my parents or my still living grandmother.

  • October 24, 2008

    7:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    wyhammertime writes:

    Now we need to go after the greedy ceo's and have them do the same thing !!!

  • October 24, 2008

    8:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    5thgennative writes:

    What a great program!

    And 'Wyhammertime', I fully agree and would back that proposal!