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Benefits of a Beautiful Workplace...
Hint, it's not all about the greenery!
Studies have shown that when scenic environments are an integral part of a workplace, it can actually reduce employee stress and boost productivity. Here at Henrico, we not only get the privilege of working in a beautiful environment, but how it stays so pristine has a benefit that far exceeds what anyone may realize.
At the end of 2015 a new program was initiated by Henrico Sheriff Mike Wade to the Henrico County Sheriff’s Office called ORBIT—opiate recovery by intensive tracking. This program is a comprehensive treatment plan within the jail to help inmates in overcoming their opiate-based addictions. Recognizing the epidemic in our community, the program uses the authority of the Sheriff’s Office to maintain management over the inmate for the period of time necessary for the inmate to complete four phases of the program. This allows them to slowly regain control of their own lives.
Phase one consists of participation in RISE (recovery in a safe environment) for the inmates. This program is seven days a week and includes course work, recovery work, inmate run community meetings and the start of their initial release plan. Phase two consists of the inmates being assigned to work detail. This allows them to work outside the jail, under the supervision of a deputy. They work six days a week keeping the grounds of Henrico in pristine and beautiful condition. Phase three allows the inmate to transition to work release. They are afforded the opportunity to use the skills they have been fostering in the ORBIT program to gain employment in the community, while reporting to the jail at night. The final phase places the inmate on Home Electronic Monitoring while maintaining employment. During this phase, the inmate attends mandatory peer recovery groups in the community to keep control of their lives and prevent them from falling back into the same patterns and habits.
Sara Harman, or as the inmates refer to her “Mama Harman,” is the coordinator of the program. Currently she has 32 inmates in the work detail program consisting of both male and females. To date, she has seen 17 inmates successfully complete the ORBIT program through all four phases with none of those inmates returning to the jail having repeat offenses. She believes that phase two—the work detail program—is the most important phase because it gives the inmates a responsibility and a purpose, with a focus on gaining back control of their lives. They must be accountable and hold themselves to a standard many have not had to do before. “I enjoy being able to operate machinery and learn skills I never thought I could learn in this program. It means a lot to know they have trust in you. I don’t think about being incarcerated, I feel like I’m living a normal life,” said inmate Devin Tyler.
From left to right: Devin Tyler, Ronald Mitchell, Clayton Duty, Michael Mann
The “Green Team,” as the inmates call themselves, have accomplished so much around the county. One crew completed the painting of schools and the Cultural Arts Center this summer. Another crew maintains all landscaping at our fire stations across the county and one of our female crews spent their time washing 40 Henrico County school buses. “This program has allowed me to be the man I need to be, to get in touch with the monster I’ve been dealing with and a chance to give back to the community. It makes me feel like a better person,” said Ronald Mitchell, one of the Green Team inmates.
While in phase two of the program, the inmates not only get to work outside the jail but each are given the opportunity to work on reacclimating to life outside of prison by learning to build their resumes, balance a budget and research housing when they move to work release. Cultivating these skills is one more way the ORBIT program teaches the inmates that they are the ones who have control over their lives. “I got in touch with myself and realized drugs weren’t my problem, I was my problem. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to be able to get out and be productive,” said inmate Clayton Duty.
The next time you walk around the administration building and notice the well-cut grass, trimmed trees and weeded flower beds, enjoy the environment surrounding you and know that not only does looking at a beautiful work place have its benefits for you as an employee, but it also has far greater benefits for the people who get the opportunity to make it look that way. Inmate Michael Mann sums it up best by saying, “Through this program I am more optimistic that I have a better chance at making it when I’m done. Someone depends on me and it feels good.” And, if you see the crews out and working hard, let them know that their hard work is appreciated and does not go unnoticed.