Inmates from the state prison in Westville have proven to be an invaluable asset to the management at Tippecanoe River State Park north of Winamac. Property manager Vernon Gillum says the work crew comes out a few days a week and assists with big jobs like cutting trees down and hauling them off so they can be split for firewood and raking acres of leaves at the family campground.
Tippecanoe River State Park Manager Vernon Gillum says the offender crew has proven to be a valuable asset to the property.
“We need a lot of help on the property. We’ve had some personnel reductions in the past, so we’re looking for ways to meet the needs and keep the property open. This is one of those areas. They’ve been able to come in there, and they’ve provided a lot of labor for us for some of those jobs that just require a lot of people,” said Gillum.
Gillum adds that the offenders are all nonviolent and close to their release date, so they’re not likely to misbehave and risk having more time tacked onto their sentences.
