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Brig vocational programs enhance inmates'skills

21 Aug 2003 | Pfc. Samuel B. Valliere Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Three programs at the Base Brig here are now offering inmates the opportunity to learn a trade and find jobs in the civilian sector.

The Prisoner Apprentice Cook, Welding and Carpentry programs teach prisoners vocational basics, allowing them to become certified journeymen while serving their sentences.

"Part of it is just simple incarceration, but ... we also have a rehabilitation program," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 John I. Hawthorne, administrative officer at the Brig. "We have various programs that help these prisoners transition back into society as a functioning, contributing member of the community."

Eighteen inmates currently are enrolled across the three programs. Each program has different, specific requirements for completion, Hawthorne said.

The apprentice cook, the longest of the three programs, requires more than 4,000 hours of hands-on learning. After completing the course, inmates will be certified as journeymen through the Department of Labor.

Trainees help to prepare food served at the Brig. Civilian mess hall workers mentor the trainees.

"(Graduates) ... get the same certification that civilians get," said Hawthorne. "They're just as competitive when they step out into the job market as someone who has not been incarcerated."

One prisoner, who chose not to be identified in this story, doesn't plan on becoming a welder when he is released. Despite this, he finds security in knowing he can always find a job.

"I believe that having the welding knowledge and skills will serve to ensure that I will always be able to find employment," he said.

The 27-year-old detainee, who has been participating in the program since January, said he feels that the welding program has better primed him for release.

"The welding apprentice program has been helpful in preparing me for release by allowing me to develop a skill that could be used in a trade profession," said the prisoner, who has served almost three years of his eight-year sentence.

The welding and carpentry programs take one year each to complete. Prisoners learn how to build simple structures under the supervision of welding and carpentry experts.

According to Hawthorne, Brig carpenters and welders make many of the signs found aboard Camp Pendleton. The program saves the base between $300,000 and $500,000 every year, according to Staff Sgt. Amsey E. VanVolkinburg, the Brig Work Annex supervisor here.

"What the prisoners do in these programs not only provides educational training for them in a vocational area, but it also provides a service to the installation as a whole," said Hawthorne.

The programs utilize curriculum from the Associated General Contractors of America and the American Welding Society. Graduation depends on products turned out by the prisoners.

"Once we feel comfortable that (the welding students) are at a certain level, we give them a test. Then we have to send that to the American Welding Society. If they're pleased with it, they'll tell us to give that person a certificate," said VanVolkinburg

Space and security issues prevent prisoners from completing the carpentry program to the exact specifications of the AGCA's course.

"(The AGCA's) class, which is down in San Diego, will utilize somebody on the jobsite two or three days a week, and then in the classroom for two or three days a week," said VanVolkinburg. "The most that we can do here is the bookwork. We can't take somebody out to build a house with the contractors on base; it's not feasible. What we can do is ... build certain things here within our compound and make sure they're knowledgeable ..."

The programs are available to well-behaved prisoners serving a sentence of one year or more. Once in, a prisoner cannot receive any bad paperwork or he will be dropped, VanVolkinburg said.

"(A prisoner) can come down here as long as (his) attitude is good. If (he's) creating a problem, then (he's) dropped from the program," said VanVolkinburg. "We don't have time to sit and focus on one person creating problems in the environment when there are hazardous equipment and materials."

In the future, the Brig hopes to incorporate more programs. According to Hawthorne, a barber program is being developed. VanVolkinburg said he would like to see a small motor shop up and running to train mechanics.

"We are always looking at ways of enhancing the current program, as well as adopting new programs. A lot of that is relevant to funding and support," said Hawthorne. "I think we do pretty well with what we have available, but we can always improve."

Brig vocational programs enhance inmates'skills

21 Aug 2003 | Pfc. Samuel B. Valliere Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Three programs at the Base Brig here are now offering inmates the opportunity to learn a trade and find jobs in the civilian sector.

The Prisoner Apprentice Cook, Welding and Carpentry programs teach prisoners vocational basics, allowing them to become certified journeymen while serving their sentences.

"Part of it is just simple incarceration, but ... we also have a rehabilitation program," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 John I. Hawthorne, administrative officer at the Brig. "We have various programs that help these prisoners transition back into society as a functioning, contributing member of the community."

Eighteen inmates currently are enrolled across the three programs. Each program has different, specific requirements for completion, Hawthorne said.

The apprentice cook, the longest of the three programs, requires more than 4,000 hours of hands-on learning. After completing the course, inmates will be certified as journeymen through the Department of Labor.

Trainees help to prepare food served at the Brig. Civilian mess hall workers mentor the trainees.

"(Graduates) ... get the same certification that civilians get," said Hawthorne. "They're just as competitive when they step out into the job market as someone who has not been incarcerated."

One prisoner, who chose not to be identified in this story, doesn't plan on becoming a welder when he is released. Despite this, he finds security in knowing he can always find a job.

"I believe that having the welding knowledge and skills will serve to ensure that I will always be able to find employment," he said.

The 27-year-old detainee, who has been participating in the program since January, said he feels that the welding program has better primed him for release.

"The welding apprentice program has been helpful in preparing me for release by allowing me to develop a skill that could be used in a trade profession," said the prisoner, who has served almost three years of his eight-year sentence.

The welding and carpentry programs take one year each to complete. Prisoners learn how to build simple structures under the supervision of welding and carpentry experts.

According to Hawthorne, Brig carpenters and welders make many of the signs found aboard Camp Pendleton. The program saves the base between $300,000 and $500,000 every year, according to Staff Sgt. Amsey E. VanVolkinburg, the Brig Work Annex supervisor here.

"What the prisoners do in these programs not only provides educational training for them in a vocational area, but it also provides a service to the installation as a whole," said Hawthorne.

The programs utilize curriculum from the Associated General Contractors of America and the American Welding Society. Graduation depends on products turned out by the prisoners.

"Once we feel comfortable that (the welding students) are at a certain level, we give them a test. Then we have to send that to the American Welding Society. If they're pleased with it, they'll tell us to give that person a certificate," said VanVolkinburg

Space and security issues prevent prisoners from completing the carpentry program to the exact specifications of the AGCA's course.

"(The AGCA's) class, which is down in San Diego, will utilize somebody on the jobsite two or three days a week, and then in the classroom for two or three days a week," said VanVolkinburg. "The most that we can do here is the bookwork. We can't take somebody out to build a house with the contractors on base; it's not feasible. What we can do is ... build certain things here within our compound and make sure they're knowledgeable ..."

The programs are available to well-behaved prisoners serving a sentence of one year or more. Once in, a prisoner cannot receive any bad paperwork or he will be dropped, VanVolkinburg said.

"(A prisoner) can come down here as long as (his) attitude is good. If (he's) creating a problem, then (he's) dropped from the program," said VanVolkinburg. "We don't have time to sit and focus on one person creating problems in the environment when there are hazardous equipment and materials."

In the future, the Brig hopes to incorporate more programs. According to Hawthorne, a barber program is being developed. VanVolkinburg said he would like to see a small motor shop up and running to train mechanics.

"We are always looking at ways of enhancing the current program, as well as adopting new programs. A lot of that is relevant to funding and support," said Hawthorne. "I think we do pretty well with what we have available, but we can always improve."