Elbert County residents, do not be alarmed when you see inmates on the side of the road, they are merely helping clean up the county while serving their time.

On June 3 Elbert County Sheriff William Frangis began the first day of planned inmate work details in the county. Also referred to as “chain gangs” even though no chains are literally involved, current incarcerated county inmates serving a court-ordered sentence are transported to areas within the county to clean up and do minor maintenance services under the supervision of deputies from the sheriff’s office, which will be a continued public service to the citizens of Elbert County.

In preparation for the Elizabeth Stampede, the first day of operation involved inmates cleaning the grandstand area of Casey Jones Park.

“It was a truck load of trash,” said Sgt. David Carter, jail supervisor.

Frangis said the citizens of the county were very receptive and appreciative of the work done by the inmates.

“Citizens can be assured that when the they are working, the inmate maintenance crews will have officers present,” he said. “And that the areas are designated with signs and noticeable to our citizens during these work details.”