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ESCANABA -- There's not much activity left at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.  The rides and booths have been packed up, and the livestock barns are now empty.  Except for the cleanup crew, some are inmates and others were sentenced to be there by a judge.

A group from Menominee and Delta County was there to reduce jail time and work off court fines and costs.

The inmates working aren't considered at-flight risk, and they can't be convicted of any felonies.  But some of their charges include failure to pay child support and driving under the influence.  They're taking down the gating and cleaning up the livestock barns.

“It gets you out,” explains worker David Erdman of the UPCAP Community Corrections Program.  “It’s exercise, for one, but also, they're willing to trust you.  You can't only judge a book by its cover, even though mistakes have been made.  Instead of being a drag and always taking from the community, it feels good to give back."

It's called UPCAP’s Community Corrections Program, and it helps reduce jail beds in six counties in the west central U.P. region.  The grant-funded program supplies work to non-profit agencies and government entities.  And inmates see it as a privilege.

“Oh, it makes you think a lot,” said worker Scott Klatt, “because you're sitting there by yourself, and it just feels really good to be out and about rather than be in jail.  So it kind of makes you think about what you have to look forward to when you get out."

They say once they’re free, they’ll continue to work hard and do the right things.

UPCAP officials said Delta and Dickinson have the highest worker participation out of the program's six counties.