So much snow is covering Connecticut that inmates are being sent out to clear snow and unbury fire hydrants covered in feet of snow and ice.
Inmates do work in cities and towns throughout the year, but Brian Garnett, Director of External Affairs for the state Department of Correction, said this is the first time in his 10 years that they are being sent to clear snow.
Fire departments have been asking residents to clear hydrants on their streets, but many are still covered during an unrelenting season of snow.
The inmates are carefully screened, minimum security offenders who are under the supervision of corrections officers, according to the Department of Correction.
Offenders from the Enfield and Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institution are clearing snow in the Enfield area on Thursday and inmates from the Bergin Correctional Institution in Storrs are helping the Tolland Fire Department.
“When it comes to our mission of public safety, there are few things more basic than insuring that hydrants are clear should they be needed to fight a fire,” Commissioner Leo Arnone said. “This gives the inmates an important opportunity to give back to the community.”.
