Russell County wins VACO award for Community Work Program that saved millions

Dean Lynch, executive director of the Virginia Association of Counties, presented Russell County with a 2025 VACO Achievement Award on Nov. 3 for the county’s Community Work Program, a locally run alternative‑sentencing initiative. Lynch told the Board of Supervisors the award recognizes “innovative programs providing public services that can be emulated by other counties.”

The county established the Community Work Program in 2016 to reduce the expense of housing inmates at a regional jail. Participants in the program pay a monthly fee, agree to home checks, submit to drug testing and wear GPS monitors while enrolled. Program staff schedule projects for nonprofit organizations and county offices; work has included litter pickup, mowing, and painting at schools and county buildings.

Lynch said the program has “saved jail cost over $3,000,000” and produced “close to $6,000,000 of community service work” for the county. Local officials and legislators echoed that assessment: Judge Moore and Judge Patton, former Commonwealth’s Attorney Patton, and state legislators attending the meeting cited the program’s role in reducing incarceration costs while helping participants secure employment and treatment. Missy Carter, the program coordinator identified repeatedly in the meeting, was singled out by speakers as essential to the program’s operations and success.

County officials described the program as more than cost savings. “We’ve had participants in this program that have been hired by Russell County that are still working in Russell County today,” a supervisor said, adding that some alumni have started businesses after participating in the CWP. Speakers also said the program supports recovery from addiction and offers accountability and structure intended to keep participants sober and productive.

State and county leaders said other Virginia localities have studied Russell County’s model. Lynch and state lawmakers encouraged continued information sharing to help other counties replicate the program.

The board received the award and allowed program representatives and dignitaries to be photographed with the plaque. No formal action was required of the board during the presentation.

The county administrator’s office and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office retain program details and performance figures cited during the presentation. County officials said they will continue to support the program’s operations and outreach.

For context: the VACO achievement award program reviews nominations on innovation, intergovernmental cooperation, replicability and custom approaches to local government. VACO said it received a record 155 entries for the 2025 awards program.