A social media post praising the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office inmate work program gained attention this week after a local resident publicly commended Sheriff Mark Wood and the individuals participating in roadside cleanup efforts.

The resident expressed strong support for offender work programs that hold individuals accountable while contributing meaningful work to the community. The discussion drew a response from the Sheriff’s Office, which shared updated statistics on the progress of its road crews.

According to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, the RPSO Road Crew collected 63,670 pounds of trash on parish roadways and 116,010 pounds of trash on state highways during the first six months of 2025. The effort covered more than 1,500 miles across Rapides Parish.

Sheriff’s officials said the inmate crews work hard to combat litter, but the problem remains persistent without cooperation from the public. Residents are urged not to discard garbage from vehicles and to properly secure loads when transporting waste. Deputies throughout the parish issue citations when violations are observed or when discarded items can be traced back to their owners.

“It’s a dirty job but somebody has to do it,” the Sheriff’s Office said in its statement, thanking the community member for recognizing the program’s work and reminding drivers to “think about it and DON’T LITTER.”