The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program (SWAP) will resume operations July 6, 2020. The program was temporary suspended due to the global COVID-19 pandemic but is set to resume next month with several health and safety precautions.

Humboldt County SWAP offers alternatives to incarceration, allowing low-level offenders to work off their sentences while remaining productive members of society. SWAP participants have the opportunity to work at the Sheriff’s Wood Lot or Farm, the Animal Shelter, County Motorpool, the McKinleyville Community Services District and at the Hoopa Food Distribution Center.

“SWAP is all about giving back to our community,” SWAP Sergeant Lee Myers said. “SWAP participants help produce firewood for low income seniors, care for lost and abandoned animals at our animal shelter, work on our farm to provide food for incarcerated people within our correctional facility and much more. SWAP is crucial when it comes to Corrections and I’m glad we will be able to resume this program in the coming weeks.”

On average, there are 190 participants on SWAP at any given time providing service to our community. Under the new COVID-19 guidelines, SWAP participants will have their temperature taken upon reporting to their assignment. Participants will be required to wear a face covering, with disposable masks provided to any participant who does not have a mask of their own. Hand washing stations with soap and hand sanitizer will also be available. Current SWAP participants are being contacted over the phone with the new guidance. For more information about the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program, visit https://humboldtgov.org/2365/Work-Alternative-Program or call 707-441-5113.