- Home
- Departments
- Community Corrections
- Sentence To Service
Sentence To Service
Workday information
- Report time is between 7:45 - 8 a.m.
- The workday is typically 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., which counts as one day.
- Bring your own lunch.
- Map location of "Employee Parking Lot" at the Government Center, Stillwater (Google Maps).
- Park in Employee Parking Lot.
- No parking permit is required.
Printable documents for reference
Sentence to Service (STS) is a program that offers an alternative to jail for certain offenders. Instead of serving time in jail or paying fines, these individuals participate in community improvement projects. By doing service, they indirectly make up for their actions and contribute to valuable work projects that benefit organizations and communities within the county. The STS program aims to improve their skill, avoid costly imprisonment, and add value to the community. STS crews, supervised by STS Crew Leaders, complete work projects for public, non-profit, and government agencies.
Examples of work projects
- Cutting grass for elderly or disabled individuals.
- Shoveling snow for elderly/disabled individuals.
- Trail and prairie restoration for state agencies.
- Recycling for county buildings.
- Natural disaster relief.
- Painting.
- Clean-up and general maintenance.
Program expectations
- Dress appropriately for working outdoors. (Review the Clothing Requirements.)
- Bring a bag lunch.
- Disrespect or harassment of any kind is not tolerated. (Report any harassments to your Crew Leader.)
- Do not bring cell phones or other electronic devices.
- Do not bring tobacco products including matches and lighters.
- Possession or use of any prohibited items will result in discipline.
Discipline
The court has ordered your participation in the STS program. Assignment to STS is a privilege and can be lost if behavior or performance present problems. Crew leaders are authorized to administer disciplinary action including:
- Verbal or written warning.
- Loss of credit hours.
- Removal from the STS program.
Eligibility for community-based work crews
- Must be court ordered.
- Sentenced offense may not be a felony level assault.
- Sentenced offense may not be a weapons offense or involve a weapon.
- Sentenced offense may not be a sex-related offense involving a minor.
- Must not score high-risk on an offense specific risk assessment.
- Clients not eligible for community-based work crews are not excluded from in-custody STS participation on jail or kitchen work crews.
Required attendance
Participants are required to work a minimum of one day per month and complete the program before your case expires.
Absences
- Any scheduled day missed is counted as an absence. The reason does not matter.
- Absences exceeding the maximum allowed will result in termination from the program.
- A client terminated from the out-of-custody STS program is given a report to jail date and not entitled to jail credit for any days worked prior to termination.
- For absences known seven days in advance, contact the STS Program Manager, 651-430-6950 or email regarding your absence.
Maximum number of absences allowed to complete the STS program
| STS Days Ordered | Maximum Absences Allowed |
|---|---|
| 0 - 10 days | 3 |
| 11 - 20 days | 5 |
| 21 - 30 days | 6 |
| 31 or more days | 8 |
“Absence” is defined as:
- Not attending a scheduled STS workday.
- Arriving late for a scheduled STS workday.
- Rescheduling a workday less than seven days before the next scheduled STS workday.
A violation of any program rules during the workday (additional sanctions and/or program termination may also result depending upon the program violation committed).
A client may appeal termination from the STS program per established policies and procedures.
Dress appropriately for working outdoors.
Consequences of not dressing appropriately
- You will not be taken to the work site.
- You will not be allowed to work and be sent home.
- You will not receive credit.
- It will count as an absence.
Do not wear shorts, leggings or tank tops.
What to wear for work:
- Full length work pants such as jeans, cargos, or khakis.
- Note: Athletic pants or sweatpants are not allowed unless worn over or under work pants.
- Shirts (T-shirts or sweatshirts) must have short or long sleeves.
- Work boots or athletic shoes and gloves. Boots are best.
- Work jacket, hat, and gloves (layered clothing) during cold weather.
- Rain gear, depending on the weather.
Safety is a key factor during an STS workday. Crew Leaders will explain and enforce safety measures.
HyViz Safety Vests will be provided and must be always worn while working on the crew.
STS is a jail alternative program
- Items not allowed while in jail are not allowed on the STS Program.
- Tobacco products of any kind including (E-cigarettes), lighters or matches.
- Cell phones or any other electronic devices.
- Bringing any of these items on the work crew will result in discipline which may include termination.
STS is a drug-free and alcohol-free program
- The use of alcohol and illegal chemicals is prohibited for the duration of your participation in the STS program.
- Anyone found to have alcohol or illegal chemicals in his/her system, at any time, shall be subject to discipline.
- Breathalyzer testing is randomly conducted.
- If you register anything but 0.000, you will not be allowed to work the day, and it will be counted as an absence.
- If you are over the legal limit, law enforcement will be contacted.