Under a unique partnership between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office inmates at the county jail have worked to help maintain the Calvary Cemetery in South Portland, as well as a number of other church-related projects.

Denis Lafreniere, from the diocese, said inmates from the jail’s Community Services program have assisted with various church projects during the past six years.

Inmates began providing volunteer labor for the diocese after Sheriff’s Deputy Mary Sorrells, a longtime parishioner at St. Peter Parish in Portland, reached out to Lafreniere to explore the possibility of having inmates perform various tasks at local churches.

“My workers enjoy the interaction with the priests and the parishioners from the various churches in the area,” Sorrells said. “The program is (also) a way that inmates can begin to integrate back into society. The workers are treated with the utmost respect and find dignity in the work that is being performed. At the same time, the diocese receives assistance with (its) many projects.”

Along with upkeep at the cemetery in South Portland, inmates have also painted, provided general landscaping services, raked roofs and worked at the Threads of Hope thrift stores operated by Catholic Charities Maine.

In the last two years alone, inmates have worked more than 10,000 hours for Catholic parishes and organizations, saving more than $170,000 through the donated labor, according to a diocese press release.

“We’re so thankful that Sheriff (Kevin) Joyce is committed to this program,” Lafreniere said. “Even during challenging budget cycles, he has been fully supportive. Frankly, the program has enabled our parishes to complete many projects that would not have been (completed) otherwise.”

In addition, the program administrators have observed a noticeable improvement in the self-esteem and work ethic of the inmates, the diocese press release added.

– Kate Irish Collins

An inmate from the Cumberland County Jail repairs a brick wall at the Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.