NCJ Number
195046
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 64 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2002 Pages: 84-85,159
Date Published
2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes a computer refurbishing program offered to inmates in the South Central Correctional Facility in Clifton, Tennessee.
Abstract
The High Yield Diagnostic Area program operated in the South Central Correctional Facility in Clifton, Tennessee refurbishes computers that are then donated to public schools in Tennessee. The program began in 1995 and since then 8,000 computers have been refurbished and placed in schools across the State. The program began as a community volunteer effort put together by Ingram Industries and Vanderbilt University. On weekends, community volunteers would refurbish old computers to donate to under-funded public schools. Ingram Industries approached the Corrections Corporation of America with an idea about involving inmates in this refurbishing process. Since the South Central Correctional Facility already had computer training classes, a program was immediately created to train inmates to refurbish the computers. This program benefits the inmates by preparing them for paying jobs when they return to the community, thus easing the transition from incarceration to community life. The program also benefits the school system by providing sorely needed computers to cash strapped public schools in the State. The High Yield Diagnostic Area program currently refurbishes an average of 300 Pentium computers a month for use in public schools.