Inmates Turn County Prison into Santa's Workshop

From Bay City News:

Local agencies will stock up Thursday on hundreds of shiny new toys and bicycles handcrafted by Contra Costa County prisoners who have worked throughout the year in their own version of Santa's workshop.

More than 35 Contra Costa County organizations working with children will head to the Marsh Creek Detention Facility in Clayton Thursday morning to choose from among more than 1,500 handmade toys and more than 125 refurbished bicycles.

About 175 county inmates enrolled in the Contra Costa Adult School took part in the toy workshop sponsored by the county sheriff's office and the county office of education, county education officials said.

The program, now in its 17th consecutive year, benefits dozens of county organizations including the Salvation Army, the Contra Costa Crisis Center, Bay Area Rescue Mission and the George Miller Center.

The free, newly refurbished bicycles and wooden toys such as doll houses, yo-yos, rocking horses and fire engines, will then be put aside for local families in need this holiday season.

Representatives from local non-profits are scheduled to visit the jail at 12000 Marsh Creek Road in Clayton from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday.

What do you think of the idea of prison inmates making toys for donation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.