Inmate Higher Level Education: An Easy Answer

There might be a simple solution to closing the skills gap that we’ve all overlooked, train incarcerated individuals. At first that might sound absurd, but with interest, education, and in-depth training even an inmate can become a valued employee. Currently, there are approximately 2.3 million Americans incarcerated and every year, around 650,000 of them re-enter society. Educating them to become an integral working individual not only benefits them, but all society.

Tech-Labs is currently helping provide postsecondary education equipment and curriculum to Windham School District (WSD), an education system that provides a variety of academic classes and Career and Technical Education (CTE) to offenders incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. By providing such programs there is a decrease in inmates becoming incarcerated again, saving taxpayers money, and educating a population that might otherwise never had the opportunity.

Industry Training - No Internet Needed

There are many factors that go into providing a higher level of education in prisons. One BIG issue has been that inmates are not usually allowed to use the internet, making technical skills learning almost unattainable, luckily Tech-Labs has teamed up with industry-leading companies to provide quality training programs and curricula that teach the skills needed to succeed, without ever opening a web browser.

• Amatrol, the world’s leader in skills-based, interactive technical learning, is helping provide practical skills development using eLearning. This highly interactive multimedia format includes 3D graphics, videos, and interactive exercises that will appeal to all types of learners. Their hands-on, location-sharing, portable training systems allow inmates to practice on real-world-type equipment.
• Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), a 501(c)3 non-profit, is an industry-led training, assessment, and certification system that is helping inmates gain technical knowledge, skills, and industry credentials by using programs like CPT and CLT.
• Simlog, the world leader in providing afford
able and effective PC-based simulation software for heavy equipment operator training. Their Personal Simulators have helped prisons by being securely containable and allowing instant performance data per session. The construction industry is very forgiving when it comes to hiring ex-inmates, so this can be a very lucrative training.
• Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, plasma, and oxyfuel cutting equipment. Their REALWELD® and VRTEX^® systems help welders hone their skills faster and prepares them to be leaders in the industry.

Make the Change

If the skills gap is going to close any time soon the stigma with hiring an (exceptionally trained) ex-inmate needs to dissipate. Once prisons can successfully install and prepare the correct curriculum, people, and equipment for higher education learning who knows what changes can be made. Contact Tech-Labs at sales@tech-labs.com or call 800-445-1088 to get your prison program started.