IF SHE WERE A CARPENTER - NONTRADITIONAL APPRENTICESHIPS FOR WOMEN IN PRISON

• NCJ Number: 64293
• Journal: Corrections Today Volume: 41 Issue: 6 Dated: (NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1979) Pages: 24-25,28,38,56
• Author(s): A M HERMAN
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: American Correctional Association
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS DESIGNED FOR WOMEN IN FOUR FEDERAL PRISONS ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

CURRENTLY, ALL FEDERAL PRISONS HOUSING WOMEN MUST DEVELOP APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS FOR THEIR INMATES. IN PLEASANTON PRISON IN WEST VIRGINIA, A 4-YEAR PROGRAM IN STATIONARY ENGINEERING WAS INSTITUTED CONCERNING THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ENGINES, TURBINES, MOTORS, AND RELATED EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY LIGHT, HEAT, AND POWER FOR BUILDINGS, PLANTS, AND OTHER STRUCTURES. PRISON STAFF AND REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL UNION 39 OF THE OPERATING ENGINEERS COOPERATED IN DRAFTING STANDARDS AND PRACTICES AND OBTAINING TEACHING CREDENTIALS FOR STAFF INSTRUCTORS. AFTER HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY EXAMS WERE GIVEN, FOUR WOMEN WERE CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE; MORE THAN A DOZEN OTHER PLEASANTON RESIDENTS HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE PROGRAM. AT ALDERSON PRISON IN WEST VIRGINIA, A COMMITTEE WAS FORMED WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM LABOR AND MANAGEMENT, AND WITH ADVISORS FROM THE CONSTRUCTION TRADES, TO WRITE STANDARDS FOR PROGRAMS IN PAINTING, PLUMBING, AUTO MECHANICS, POWERHOUSE OPERATION, STEAMFITTING, AND ELECTRICAL WORK. LEXINGTON PRISON IN KENTUCKY BROADENED ITS EARLIER INITIATIVES TO INCLUDE A PROGRAM IN PRINTING AND TO IMPROVE ITS PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS AMONG THE PRISON'S FEMALE INMATES. AT THE FORT WORTH FACILITY IN TEXAS, PROGRAMS EXIST IN AIR CONDITIONING, REFRIGERATION, AUTO MECHANICS, CARPENTRY, ELECTRICAL WORK, PAINTING, PLUMBING AND COSMETOLOGY. IN ADDITION, TWO INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS ARE BEING TRIED AT FORT WORTH: THE VOCATIONAL CLUSTER PROGRAM, IN WHICH VARIOUS SKILLS ARE GROUPED IN TRADE AREAS AND TAUGHT AT LEVELS FROM EXPLORATORY TRAINING TO A FULL APPRENTICESHIP CURRICULUM; AND THE WORK/STUDY RELEASE PROGRAM, UNDER WHICH TWO APPRENTICES LEAVE THE PRISON DAILY TO PARTICIPATE IN A UNION APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM. OVERALL, THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS SHOULD STEER WOMEN INTO AREAS WITH BETTER ECONOMIC PROSPECTS AND CREATE A NEW SOCIAL MILIEU FOR PARTICIPANTS. SUCCESS WILL DEPEND UPON THE SMOOTHNESS OF THE TRANSITION FROM THE PRISON PROGRAM TO THE UNION OR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM OUTSIDE THE PRISON. OTHER PROBLEMS ARE NOTED. SOME PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)