- The Hays County Sheriff’s Office has been given the go-ahead on using inmate manpower to help keep county roads clean. (Photo by Sean Kimmons)
Hays sheriff expands inmate work program
It may not exactly be a chain gang but a work program that uses inmate manpower to tidy up county roads has been expanded, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office announced this week.
Late last month, the sheriff’s office modified a truck and trailer to help inmates keep roads litter-free. The cleanup crew, comprised of several jail trustees, worked on areas in Dripping Springs and Wimberley along Highway 290 and Ranch Road 12, officials say.
Sheriff Gary Cutler, who took office in November, began the program using inmate labor to remodel the sheriff’s office by painting, mending fences and removing old equipment, among other duties. Inmates also recently repaired and painted a Dripping Springs building and fence at Harrison Park as well as clearing out a Wimberley lot.
All inmates chosen for these duties are low risk, non-violent offenders, officials say.
Buda woman gets prison for violating probation
A 21-year-old Buda woman landed nine months in prison May 4 for multiple probation violations, court records show.
Prosecutors filed a motion to revoke probation on Jennifer Nancie Jaksha, who resides in the 200 block of Tranquility Mountain, for a prohibited weapons charge for which she was originally arrested in December 2007. She received three years probation for the charge, records say.
However, Jaksha broke the terms of her probation when she failed to report to her supervision officer at least three times; refused to pay her appointed counsel and monthly community supervision fees; and for failure to attend court-ordered counseling and/or medical treatment, court records say.
22nd District Judge Bill Henry granted the prosecutor’s request.
