Century Prison Carpentry Program Building Future For Inmates

February 13, 2024

Century Correctional Institution recently celebrated the latest inmate group to complet the Home Builders Institute’s 12-week carpentry program that is buiding hope for a brighter future for inmates.

The program, in partnership with the Home Builders Institute, provides hands-on experience in reading construction plans, estimating material and labor costs, and learning about job site safety. Graduates of the program receive industry certifications, which prepares them for success upon their reentry into their communities.

For more photos, click here.

The Florida Department of Corrections said the department prioritizes rehabilitation and vocational training in order to improve public safety, reduce victimization, and facilitate the successful reintegration of inmates into society.

“Century Correctional Institution is proud to have a collaboration with Home Builders Institute. We’ve seen such a drastic improvement in the men in the 12 short weeks that they are in the program” Century CI Warden Kelly Watkins said.

“The program is going to  give me the opportunity to change my lifestyle outside on the streets and give me a better future,”one inmate program participant said with a slight smile. “I’m going to be a better provider for my family and give me better reasons  to stay away from this place.

“I get to see a transformation in their teamwork,” William Stark. Home Builders Institute instructor, said. “So when they come into this class, they’re very much by themselves. And as we go, they learn that they can ask questions and that this is a learning environment. This is not an environment that they’re used to. So they get to learn and grow and have fun, and hopefully prosper.”

Comments

5 Responses to “Century Prison Carpentry Program Building Future For Inmates”

  1. Sedition on February 13th, 2024 9:03 pm

    THIS is how it should work. Prison should be not only punishment for a crime, but for rehabilitation so they don’t reoffend.
    Teaching them a useful skill while locked up gives them a chance stay on the up-and-up when they earn their freedom.

  2. Dee Dee Cochran on February 13th, 2024 11:52 am

    I think they should have a small engine class as well. Reward them with cantine goodies . Or a little pay for when there released. My son is there & I don’t have the money to send him for cantine. But if there learning , reward them !

  3. Debbie on February 13th, 2024 9:47 am

    This is good news…to a certain point . The point where someone is actually willing to give them a chance and give them a job . Most applications ask if you have ever been convicted of a felony and that’s where it ends . Most people are not willing to give them a shot at doing the right thing. This is the point that needs change . Someone needs to be willing to take a chance . People scream “Get a Job” and stop being a deadbeat . Ok .. will YOU give them a job ? Good luck gentlemen I hope this works out for you , I really do.

  4. Thomas Paine on February 13th, 2024 8:06 am

    A positive development; keep them busy and learning a skill so when/if they get out they don’t fall back into old patterns.

  5. Local on February 13th, 2024 7:57 am

    Good News from Century.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News