A high number of inmates at the Two Bridges Regional Jail prompted a discussion of diversion programs by Lincoln County Commissioners at their meeting this week.

The county has 40 inmates with 27 inmates on diversion programs.

Sheriff Todd Brackett outlined the programs the county uses for alternative sentencing for eligible offenders.

Brackett called his presentation "Coordination of Programs." The programs, all housed at the sheriff's building, include: Probation and Parole; Volunteers of America; Addiction Resource Center; and the Lincoln County Alternative Sentencing Program.

Brackett asked the Commissioners to approve cutting the Volunteers of America contract from 40 hours a week to 32 hours a week, and decreasing the Addiction Resource Center agreement by about $5,000.

"I believe the Lincoln County Alterative Sentencing Program can handle the extra work," Brackett said.

"The county sentencing program is modeled after the Volunteers of America's program, perhaps a little more aggressive," he said. "We make visits to the home, depending on the seriousness of the crime. The Volunteers of America do not usually visit the home."

"We have given this extra option for about two years," Brackett said. "Captain Aaron Mortinsen, and Officer Donald Smith do an excellent job with the program."

Brackett explained the judge must approve the diversion programs, and the offenders must sign a contract to comply with whatever restrictions that are placed on them by the court. If they violate the contract then they are incarcerated.

The Addiction Resource Center program often works with another diversion program within the county, according to Brackett. Because of this program there are not as many repeat offenders. More than 50 percent of the participants in the program do not come back into the system.

This program works with drug and alcohol abuse, and domestic violence offenders.

According to Brackett, the advantage of alternative sentencing programs in "cost avoidance." The savings the county realizes by not having to pay about $80 per day per inmate is used to help pay for the programs. However, because of the programs many offenders are given the opportunity to rehabilitate. "It is money well spent," Brackett said.

The Commissioners accepted Brackett's recommendation to reduce the contracts and approved a 12-month contract with the Volunteers of America, decreasing the cost from $60,000 to $43,000. They also approved a six-month agreement with the Addiction Resource Center at a cost of $20,700, decreasing that contract by about $5,000.

In other business, the sheriff's Department will have five new Taser weapons at a cost of about $5,000 each. The commissioners approved the budgeted item request.

The county recycling supervisor Mike Thompson reported on the sales and contracts totals for the past year.

The revenue from the recycling program was up this year by about $71,000. 2006 sales were $198,270, and 2007 sales were $269,900.

Thompson told the commissioners the E-waste program is also very successful. In 2006 there was 1,181 containers shipped with a weight of 105,972 pounds. In 2007 there were 3,147 containers shipped with a weight of 195,700 pounds.

The commissioners approved a request from county planner Robert Faunce to name his operation the Lincoln County Planning Office.

Commissioner Sheridan Bond said he is "cautiously optimistic' with the agreement with the state and the county jails.

"The discussions continue in a positive light," he said.

Bond and Brackett praised the negotiating team for their efforts in working to development the agreement.