Use of the unusual volunteer labor force was the idea of Dick Frost, Park West general manager, and Fred VanDerVeur, treatment director, minimum security, Utah State Prison. The prison offered its labor force to the Utah Ski Assn. a year ago, but the ski season was already in boom so none of the resort operators sought the assistance until Frost’s seeding effort.
Working one-on-one with resort personnel, the inmates seeded a 4,600 foot long ski run then covered it with straw the first day.
“We wanted to get the inmates involved in a worthwhile project, something of a public service nature,” said Frost. “We felt this seeding job was just such a project because it is a conservation measure, that everyone will benefit from. That’s why we didn’t use them for digging tower holes or pipe trenches.”
Frost said the inmates did “a fantastic job,” adding “they really know how to work and really enjoyed themselves on the mountain. They appreciated being out of the confines of the prison and doing something out of the prison routine. They were very compatible, enjoyable to talk with, and to work with.”
The 18 inmates and two staff members from the prison were under the direction of VanDerVeur, who explained that the prison is experimenting with classes which allow minimum security inmates to go off prison property with staff supervision.
“It’s part of a program called ‘Project Discovery’ where the inmates, through volunteer work assignments, can make themselves eligible for various therapeutic projects. To become eligible, the inmates must work at least eight hours a month on prison projects such as painting, repair work and cleanup. Then they are allowed to become involved in the community service projects.
“Purpose is to provide the community some work that is needed, but we are careful not to get involved in something which could be in conflict with a normal work force,” the prison official said.
“This winter they skied the area and in addition to developing their skiing skills, their days at Park West West exposed the inmates to some leisure time environment. We didn’t want to do this on a gratis basis so the skiing wasn’t a hand-out. They earned it. Anything they receive is linked to the work performed and responsibility displayed during the seeding project.”
Van DerVeur added that the purpose of the ski sessions was not entirely for recreation but additionally a “therapeutic procedure which releases some of the emotion from the inmates.
“What we’re trying to do is use natural sports and the elements to teach the inmates about themselves and assist them to develop self-control and self-esteem.”
