The Silver Spring Community Service Weekend Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

The Silver Spring Community Service Weekend Program is a collaborative partnership between Montgomery County Government’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Silver Spring Urban District. Every weekend convicted offenders of minor criminal offenses are sentenced by court judges to perform community streetscape and maintenance projects in Silver Spring’s Urban District in lieu of serving sentences in secured confinement. Under the supervision of correctional officers and urban district staff, the “weekenders” perform a vital role in support of Montgomery County Government’s efforts to improve Silver Spring’s safety and curb appeal, to enhance its image and competitiveness and foster its economic resurgence. Moreover, by adhering to the remands of court judges to perform community work, the “weekenders” are able to take a more active role in redressing crimes against the community, rather than the more costly option of sitting idly passing the time in correctional facilities. The conclusion is that well coordinated inter-agency government partnerships can satisfy multiple missions when strategic planning seeks to find points of intersection and collaborate for the greater good.