NCJ Number
217044
Journal
Corrections Today Magazine Volume: 68 Issue: 7 Dated: December 2006 Pages: 62-64
Date Published
December 2006
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Construction Apprentice Program, a joint operation between the Utah Department of Correction, Utah Correctional Industries, Salt Lake City Community College, and other community organizations.
Abstract
The CAP program is a 2-year college degree program in the building trades designed to meet the vocational training and job placement needs of inmates from the time they enter prison through to their release. Upon entering the Utah Department of Corrections, inmates are assessed regarding their needs and aptitudes and if the CAP program is appropriate in terms of education level, skills, and physical capabilities, inmates are given the opportunity to enroll in the program. CAP is located on a separate site where inmate participants are housed together to decrease security risks associated with inmate access to tools. The program focuses on building low-income housing, which is then financed and sold by the Utah Housing Corps. Program participants are offered a variety of privileges, which have become an important part of life for inmates enrolled in the program. Upon graduation, instructors and job services staff actively help inmates secure living-wage employment with their newfound skills. The program boasts 10 former program participants who now own their own construction businesses and employ up to 12 individuals. Four main lessons have been learned on how to achieve program success for this type of inmate vocational program: (1) house participants together to build camaraderie and decrease security concerns; (2) ensure inmate knowledge of the rules; (3) make it a valuable and desirable program that can advance inmates following their release; and (4) provide extra privileges for inmates enrolled in the program. Exhibits