Incarcerated Individuals To Help With Cleanup Near Salisbury Middle School This Week
Wicomico County, MD - A wooded area near Salisbury Middle School is getting a much-needed cleanup this week. A crew of incarcerated individuals from Eastern Correctional Institution will team up with Wicomico County agencies on June 17 and 18 to clear out the site.
The area sits near the school at 607 Morris Street and was previously used as a homeless encampment. The crew will work to remove trash and other discarded materials left behind at the site.
Before the ECI crew gets started, Wicomico County Public Works will go in first to identify and remove any hazardous materials. The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office will be on site throughout the project. A DPSCS K9 team will also be present.
The project is a partnership between the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) and local Wicomico County agencies. It's the kind of teamwork that DPSCS Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs says shows what public service can look like at its best.
"This project reflects the best of what public service can look like when state and local partners work together," said Scruggs. "I am proud of the incarcerated individuals from Eastern Correctional Institution who are stepping up to serve the Salisbury community. Work like this gives them a chance to give back, build responsibility, and take part in meaningful projects that support successful reentry-the best way to reduce recidivism."
This cleanup is part of a bigger effort by DPSCS to focus on rehabilitation and preparing people for life after incarceration. Projects like this give participants real work experience while also helping meet local community needs.
The numbers back it up. According to the latest data, about 22 percent of people released from DPSCS custody in fiscal year 2022 returned to prison for any reason. That rate is more than 16 percent lower than the national average, showing that these programs are making a real difference.
The wooded area near Salisbury Middle School will be cleaned up over two days. Once finished, the space will be returned to a cleaner, safer condition for the surrounding neighborhood.
