• By Adriana Acosta •
• Originally published February 18, 2010 at 8:30 a.m., updated February 18, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.

They are known as trusties.

The community identifies them by their unique gray- and white-stripped uniforms. They are often seen cleaning up after an event for a nonprofit or cleaning around the county jail.

“Only a few at a time can be trusties,” said Gary Mathis, Matagorda County sheriff.

The program has long existed in the prison, but the Matagorda County Commissioners Court officially approved the work program in early 2009.

Inmates from the Matagorda County Sheriff’s jailhouse can apply to the program and go through an interview process. There are only eight to 12 trustees at one time, but can vary at different times.

“We make sure that they are going to be acceptable to that criteria,” he said.

Uniform officers oversee trusties when they are out working.

“We are very selective on who we pick to be trusties,” said Captain Danny James, who works in the detention division.

“An inmate can be a professional welder, but if they don’t fit the criteria for the program, we will not have them participate,” said James.

Precautions are taken when a trusty is in a public place. They cannot be around civilians or children.

The program had to be approved by commissioner’s court for liability. This allows them to have insurance and if something happens, we want to make sure that the coverage is there, he explained.

The work program authorizes inmates to work in public works and maintenance projects. Trusties can also work at the jail kitchen cooking meals for inmates. Others help officers deliver meals, mop floors or work in the laundry room.

The trusties can work in an approved project only, he said.

During hurricane Rita, trusties assisted the Red Cross by filling up and storing sand bags for the community.

By using trusties the county is saving a substantial amount of money, said James.

“But it goes further then just saving money,” he said.

“The county saves money with inmate workers and helps rehabilitate them to adjust once they are out in society,” he said.

“We’ve had instances where trusties are asked to participate and don’t chose to,” he said. “We take them back to the cell and we ask another one.”

Trusties sleep in a different location from the rest of the inmates, he added.

The program has its advantages because many inmates chose not to stay in a cell all day. “They want to be part of this work program and participate,” he said.

Many have left learning a new life skill that will help them after they get out of jail, he said.

Some of the inmates had never cooked in their life, said Mathis. “Because of this program, many have taught themselves and say they are proud they learned the skill.”

This program is important because these people are locked up all day long, he said.

“For some of them, it is very important because some of them are working people and it is hard for someone of a working status to be sitting in a cell all day,” the sheriff said.

“They know they have to serve time for their crime, but this makes time pass quickly,” he said.

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