BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Baldwin County Commissioners are expected to decide Tuesday if the county has the financial resources to spend about $350,000 a year for personnel to supervise inmates in a work release program based at Baldwin County Corrections Center.

During a March 22 work session, Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack proposed the county transfer $176,708 to fund six new officers for the jail who will supervise the program. The funds would cover expenses during the seven months remaining in the fiscal year.

Mack said the funding would provide 24-hour supervision.

“Not every inmate will work an eight to five job,” Mack said. “There may be shift work and weekend work.”

He estimated a daily average population of 30 inmates by the end of October, who will be housed in a separate cell block.

The program is designed to allow non-violent, low-level offenders to maintain employment while serving sentences.

The Sheriff’s Office also will assist in finding jobs for inmates.

Commission chairman Frank Burt said he was not sure the county could come up with the funds for the program.

“For employees, $350 a year is a lot of money,” Burt said.

Mack said the program is not self sufficient, and the average recovery is less than 40 percent. He said about 25 percent of income is taken from inmate payroll.

Commissioner Charles “Skip” Gruber said he was in favor of establishing and maintaining the program.

“It’s cheaper to do this than build a new jail,” Gruber said. “We need to get people back in society.”

Mack said per-day jail costs are $48 to $58 a day for average inmates, while special needs inmates require up to $80 a day.

The cost for three meals daily is $3.45, he said.

Mack also said legislation being considered will decriminalize some felonies, increasing county jail populations “dramatically” if passed.