Maintenance and upkeep is being accomplished in Marlborough through the volunteer work of inmates with over $20,000 in work accomplished in the last year.

"The training you give the prisoners is phenominal. They have been doing work that would be very difficult for us to get to in a timely manner," said Marlborough Housing Director Douglas Bushman.

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian was in Marlborough Tuesday while a crew of inmates performed maintenance and repairs to properties owned by the Marlborough Housing Authority. The crew was part of the Middlesex County Sheriff's Community Work Program that has saved Marlborough $20,000 in the last year, he said.

The program has been encouraged in Marlborough by Mayor Arthur Vigeant, said Koutoujian. Before his time as mayor, the city only made use of $1,000 worth of work hours. In addition to work for the Housing Authorty, the program was carried out at Ward Park over the summer.

"It is the leadership of Mayor Vigeant that has brought this opportunity to this community," said Koutoujian.

Middlesex CWP crews saved communities an estimated $1.36 million in 2012.

The benefit extends to the inmates as well, said Koutoujian as he explained that it gives them guidance and a path to follow as they transition out of prison.

"Sometimes they learn a skill in these sit that they never knew they had and then they can get out and get a job with that skill," said Koutoujian. "But it also gets them into a work routine ... they are participating in the community and realizing the value of the work they are doing."

Inmates working at the project Tuesday agreed with Koutoujian about the benefits of the program.