State community service parolee program expanding

ATLANTA - Georgia is expanding a pilot program that sanctions some parolees by putting them to work rather than returning them to prison.

The program began in Milledgeville, Gainesville, Columbus and Dalton. This summer it will be expanding to communities across Georgia.

Parolees are eligible if they have committed low-level violations of their supervision requirements, such as the onetime failure of a drug test or curfew violations.

The parolees are put to work picking up trash or mowing the medians along Georgia roadways. They are overseen by the state Department of Transportation.

Jay Lacienski, director of field operations for the state board of pardons and parole, says the program saves money while also improving the overall appearance of the state.