NATCHEZ — For Concordia Parish Prison trustees the Landing and Vidalia Conference and Convention Center is haven away from their temporary homes of concrete and steel.

The maintenance of the entire length of the Vidalia Landing and the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center is all done by 10 trustees who volunteer to come out and work.

“It’s a little freedom everyday,” says Robert Delaune, a member of the six man team crew that does everything from landscaping to setting up for events. “We do what ever it is to be done but I look forward to coming out.”

“We keep the levee looking good, from the restrooms to the grass and the inmates do magnificent work,” said Vidalia police officer Eddie Smith, who runs the exterior crew.

Michael Lyles, in charge of Visitor Center maintenance agrees.

“They have a great working attitude and it gives them knowledge of how to do light maintenance and small electrical work as well as something to do,” he said.

Lyles is in charge of the four men who work on the inside of the building.

Though the men face eight to nine hour work days and work is taken seriously and is thoroughly executed, they do get a chance to relax when the job is done.

“I was out here last year for the Bowie Festival and got a chance to eat some good barbeque and listen to the bands,” Delaune said.

“When I finish up I do get a chance to relax, it keeps my mind clear,” said Rudolph Washington, a member of the crew for over a year. “The only thing that would make it nicer is if we could get a pay raise.”