MVS: Carlyle Lake Federal Inmate Labor Program
Preserving, Beautifying Public Lands While Meeting Expectations of Customers (Public)

Lake: Carlyle Lake, IL

Partners: USACE; US Justice Department; Federal Bureau of Prisons; Federal Prison Camp, Greenville, IL

Partnership Type: MOU

Corps POC: Robert Wilkins, Project Manager Carlyle/Kaskaskia Navigation Project

Story: On December 12, 1997 HDQA approved an MOA to use federal inmates on federal property between the U.S. Justice Department, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal Prison Camp, Greenville, IL and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District on Carlyle Lake Project. This was the first effort of this kind for civil works using AR-210-35. As a multi-purpose lake, the project has suffered extensive flood damage over the years, facilities are over 30 years old, personnel reductions have occurred, and with budget constraints, the federal inmates accomplish approximately $250,000 annually of labor-intense, unfunded work. The inmates began work 1 March 1998. The project and taxpayer benefit by better utilizing tax dollars, the customer (the Public) benefits through improved recreational facilities, the work camp, benefits by assigning community status inmates to work outside the work camp and the inmates benefit by doing something productive for the community and learning a new trade that can be used when their time is served. It’s a true "win-win" for all concerned. In June 1999 this initiative was presented the Presidential Hammer Award.