CamCo Prison Inmates Shovel Snow For Seniors And The Disabled

CAMDEN, N.J., (CBS) -- So you say you're having a hard time finding someone to dig you out from the blizzard? For the second straight year, seniors and the disabled in Camden County can turn to prison inmates.

Some 300 people signed up this go round, according to Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young.

"Through the Department of Corrections, we have some of our non-violent low level offenders come out and they shovel their walks for them," Young told KYW Newsradio.

All inmates are pre-screened and supervised. But unlike the days when kids came knocking on your door with a shovel in hand, you have to make an appointment for this free service. And you have to be a senior or disabled, living in Camden County, to use it.

To sign up, call the Department of Emergency Management at 856-783-4808 extension 5060 and expect to wait about a day.

You must ask for the service every time you need it, and it is only provided during daylight hours when snowfall amounts to 4 inches or more.