The Community Works Program (CWP) helps inmates to gain work experience and build upon valuable skills learned through vocational and job training that can help to remove the barriers to employment that they often face upon their return to society. Under the constant supervision of Deputy Sheriffs, who also provide on-site training to participants, inmates work on assignments that include: cleaning vacant lots, beautifying roadway intersections, painting street lamps, boarding and securing abandoned homes and shoveling walkways for senior citizen housing. Inmates volunteer for CWP and must meet strict classification standards to be selected for the program. Many of the assignments are made through requests to the Department for assistance from municipal governments, non–profits and various divisions within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pictured here is a CWP crew at work in Dorchester’s Unity Park at 84 Maple Street.