Giving Inmates a Chance to Help Kids and Themselves

Since Lt. Brian Kalinowski’s mantra in life is about giving people a second chance, it’s no surprise that his professional work helps inmates at the Marsh Creek Detention Facility (MCDF) in Clayton.

In his role as facilities commander at MCDF, Kalinowski manages programs for the male inmates, such as giving them educational and trade-related tools for success once they serve their time (an average 45 to 90 days) at the facility.

“I’ve managed the facility for two years and have been involved with the toy giveaway program for two seasons,” said Kalinowski.

The toy giveaway program, called Holiday Toy Distribution, is a collaboration of the sheriff’s office and the County Office of Education. It allows inmates – ages 18 to 60 – to make wooden toys and restore bicycles under the direction of woodshop instructor Rick Boughton, who recently won Detention Services Division (non-officer) Employee of the Year Award.

“Each year, they do bike rehabilitation and make between 1,000 and 1,200 doll houses, guitars and other toys for kids at 33 nonprofit organizations,” Kalinowski said. “The program has been going for 17 years.”

Kalinowski, whose Polish family immigrated to the East Coast three generations ago, says the program builds inmates' confidence.

“It’s therapeutic because it gives them self-worth and value,” he said.

Some might recall Kalinowski’s run for sheriff last year in a race he lost to Dave Livingston. Kalinowski has served as lieutenant for four years and has worked with the sheriff’s office for almost 18 years.

He’s also facilities commander of the Custody Alternative Facility in Martinez, where he manages the inmates with ankle monitors.

Kalinowski, who lives in Antioch, says a community’s heart and soul is based on people reinvesting in it.

“Regardless of the inmates’ circumstances, it’s always about the folks who take the time to reinvest and improve the quality of the lives of others,” said Kalinowski.

He said after Tuesday’s board of supervisors meeting, he will know whether a new Custody Alternative Program has been approved.

“It addresses all inmates in local and state prisons; programs to help inmates re-enter communities with housing, job training, job placements and any treatments that are necessary,” said Kalinowski. “The next couple of months will determine how local and state inmates will be managed and handled. It’s the next big project facing the sheriff’s offices.”

MCDF houses low-risk county inmates who can serve up to one year of county time. Inmates participate in "camp" jobs, school, woodshop, viticulture and landscaping.

 “These folks are not like the criminals you see in the movies,” said Kalinowski. “People get in trouble for different reasons, but it doesn’t mean they’ll always be bad.”