Dozens of Benton County jail inmates decided to do some good while behind bars by donating handmade quilts, hats and scarves to two community groups.

The inmates at the Kennewick jail sewed and knitted the items over the course of the year as part of a substance abuse treatment program they participated in while locked up.

"They go through different stages in making items or projects that may relate to their families of some of the lessons they learned through the process of being incarcerated, including recognizing how they can improve their lives and decision-making," said Benton County sheriff's Cmdr. Jon Law. "This is one of those tasks that allows them to give back."

This week, the inmates donated 74 quilts, 191 hats and 14 scarves to the Benton-Franklin Chapter of the American Red Cross and Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties.

"It's a pretty good deal, especially this time of year," Law said.