KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –

Sheriff Jimmy Jones was looking for a way to engage, occupy and rehabilitate the inmates in his Knox County jail and he seems to have found it. Jones instituted a program that allows low risk prisoners to cut their time by working. Not only does the program help inmates to develop skills, it also saves taxpayer money.

Jones took a page from well known Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio’s book as well. Arpaio introduced a dog rehabilitation program into his jail and discovered recidivism rates dropped dramatically among female inmates. The Knox County program began with a communal garden and hen house and now includes goats and a donkey. Jones and Arpaio believe tending the livestock appeals to female prisoner’s desire to nuture. The inmates learn responsibility, cut their time and develop knowledge and skills that will benefit them upon their return to society.

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