DERIDDER, La. (KPLC) - This week, the DeRidder City Council entered into an agreement with the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office to start its own work release program.

This comes after multiple trustees from the Southwest Transitional Work Program at the old Phelps Correctional walked off their jobs this summer.

“The safety of the public, one of the concerns that was associated with this was a 10 to 15 minute delay in reporting of a prison escape. We feel like we have a stronger sense of control over the safety for the public,” Adam Williams, Director of Public Works for DeRidder, said.

Now, for the first time, authorities are looking to parish inmates for work.

Beauregard Parish Sheriff Mark Herford explained what the new program would cover.

“Workforce-type plan using parish in

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