Pierre, S.D. - State prison inmates assisted with snow removal for 79 elderly and disabled homeowners in Sioux Falls following the recent snowfall there.

The ‘Scoop It’ program is a community service project of the Department of Corrections. The program utilizes minimum-security inmates to remove snow from the sidewalks and driveways of elderly and disabled homeowners.

The snow removal is coordinated through a community resource organization such as the HelpLine Center in Sioux Falls that does a screening of those asking for the assistance. Those requesting help must be senior citizens or disabled who do not have a relative or friend who can shovel the snow or cannot afford to hire someone to do so for them. The community resource organization compiles a list of addresses and forwards that information on to the prison staff. A uniformed correctional officer accompanies the inmate crew, which is made up of minimum-security inmates who are nearing the end of their sentences.

The 'Scoop It' program began in 2001 in Sioux Falls and Yankton and in 2005 in Rapid City and Pierre. Juveniles assigned to the State Treatment and Rehabilitation (STAR) Academy also provide snow shoveling for the elderly and disabled in Custer.

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