Inmates on work release have saved one Devonshire rest home thousands of dollars in maintenance costs.

Penny Cook, staff manager at the Matilda Smith Williams Seniors Residence recently called The Royal Gazette to publicly thank the inmates from the Prison Farm for all their hard work.

"I would like to thank the prison service for the assistance they have provided us," said Mrs. Cook. "They have always accommodated my needs. They have saved the Matilda Smith Williams home a lot of money. Primarily, they have been here as part of a charitable work release programme."

Around four inmates have devoted several weeks to improvements at the facility.

"They have come and repainted and done extensive landscaping work," she added.

"They have been working with us for two months and they are doing a phenomenal job."

Mrs. Cook said she never had any reservations about having inmates there, however an officer is always present during the work and there are spot checks by prison staff.

"I know the people at the prison farm specially select the people to do the work," she said.

"We have always had an inmate doing odd jobs for us. This has helped us to reduce costs."

Sandra Smith, division officer responsible for works, said the inmates get a lot out of the work release programme themselves.

"The flip side is, it is a way for us to empower the inmates and a way to start them transitioning back into the community," she said. "It definitely helps with their self-confidence."

Mrs. Cook said that some of the inmates have developed relationships with the elderly residents.

"A lot of the residents don't get visitors, so it means a lot to them," she said.

Mrs. Smith said that the work release programme helped to take away some of the stigma of being in a rehabilitation programme.

"It helps them to get back in touch with the community," she said. "I think it provides the inmates with a sense of purpose."

And Mrs. Cook said that the inmates were always warm and accommodating towards the residents.

"I have never been intimidated by them," she added.

One inmate even had a grandmother in the home.

"Working around here helped them to reconnect," said Mrs. Cook. "It was heartwarming. While he was working here he reconnected with his grandmother. Bermuda is a small place. It is bound to happen."

Mrs. Smith said the programme helped inmates develop a sense of caring and responsibility.

"Some of them start out reluctant at first, but then they are the ones excited and waiting to go in the morning," she said.

"The number going out on work release varies. We might have five or six a day, but this morning we had 10 going out."

She added that the inmates have also worked at several different venues around the Island.