INDIANAPOLIS -- Five days a week, 52 weeks a year, the natural health and beauty of the Lieber State Recreation Area falls to the inmates of the Putnamville Correctional Facility.
It's a transformational relationship difficult to put into words.
"I've had so many people who've never been to a park before that have been allowed out, and they just absolutely didn't realize what they've missed in their lives," said Christian Schrock, with the Department of Natural Resources.
The inmates work an eight-hour day and earn 25 cents an hour.
"When you're out here with your freedom, then you got to go back in there, and the reality sets back in again … it definitely makes you want to do a little changing in your life," said inmate Virgil Scott.
Statewide, DOC inmates performed nearly 270,000 hours of work last year, including picking up trash, mowing and trimming grass and growing crops for area food pantries. They saved the state an estimated $2.7 million in labor costs.
"Even though I'm 55 years old, I know there's a future out there for me," said inmate James Nelson. "It's a learning experience, something that will make me stronger."
The Department of Correction labor pool is made up of non-violent offenders who are nearing the end of their prison term.
