PORT ANGELES — Chain gangs have come a long way since the one made famous by Paul Newman in the 1967 movie “Cool Hand Luke.”
Now instead of being viewed as punishment, inmates line up to spend the day outside of the jail doing community service projects such as building the Olympic Discovery Trail.
“We generally have our pick of the group. There’s a waiting list,” Sukert said.
Most jail inmates are eligible for the almost 10-year-old program except for those convicted of violent crimes, although those with more serious crimes are evaluated more closely, he said.
“They are usually minimum or medium security inmates who are under the direct supervision of a corrections officer,” Sukert said.
“They aren’t free to travel at will.
