Prisoners in work release program tackle large Lula project

A number of prisoners and the officers who supervise them spent a couple of days last week cleaning up a park near Lula.

"They don’t often get mentioned, but those that manage the Sheriff’s Office Work Release Program are always working hard with inmate crews throughout the county," according to a posting on the Hall County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.  "The latest project for deputies Jeff Elliot and Edward Pittman involved the cleanup of what is known as Lula Park on Highway 52 off of GA 365."

The park, which sits just northwest of 365, has a parking area and boat ramp.  The grounds had become covered in overgrowth and brush, making it unsightly and difficult for deputies to keep watch on during night patrols.

“Most of it (the work) is safety reasons for night time,” Elliot said.

Deputies and county inmates worked with supervisors and inmates from the Hall County Correctional Institute and Hall County Parks & Leisure personnel to bush hog, saw and pile the overgrowth last Tuesday.  Crews returned Wednesday to chip the debris.

While spring and summer are the busiest seasons for these crews with lawn and landscape work on county property, Elliot said the crews stay immersed with county projects during the fall and winter, something the inmates appreciate.

“They love it,” Pittman said.  “They love getting out and working.”