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JACKSON – Hundreds of inmates are being trained to become welders, electricians, construction workers and much more when they are released from prison after completing courses in the Mississippi Department of Corrections’ Vocational Village programs.
The latest class of 102 inmates just completed coursework, 94 of them participated in a graduation ceremony at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) in Rankin County. Vocations taught include auto repair, construction trades, metal working, welding, duct-working, horticulture and landscape design, small engine repair, fiber optics, computer and coding classes, culinary arts, electrical, carpentry, and others.
MDOC unveiled the centralized group of programs in May 2023 to “streamline the process for inmates, especially those who are eligible for parole, as well as for instructors teaching multiple classes across the vocational spectrum,” said Commissioner Burl Cain at the time.
Reuben Mayes, 31, who received two certificates, was among the first inmates to start the program. He is scheduled for release on parole in early June and is looking forward to pursuing construction and landscaping. His favorite course involved using a forklift.
“This program has given us a life. People can look at us and say ‘They did something in there. They didn’t go to prison and waste time. They’re coming home as better individuals,’” Mayes said. “We can do more. We accomplished this, and we can do anything. I’m looking forward to showing my home and community that I am a better person.”
Dasmond Howard, 32, an inmate speaker at the recent graduation, is eligible for release in 2025. He encouraged the graduates to take full advantage of what they achieved. He plans to seek a career in communications technology.
“Don’t put these certificates in a drawer somewhere. Use them. When we get out, people will be looking at us, watching and wondering what we’re going to do. The certificates we received (May 3) is part of what our future is,” Howard said. “Just because our shirts say ‘MDOC convict,’ that doesn’t define who we are. We’re better than what is on our shirts. Be proud of what you have done. Be proud of the classes you have taken and move forward.”
Vocational Village groups many different vocations with study guides and equipment for hands-on instruction. Through MDOC-formed alliances, vocational instruction has been sanctioned and certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, and the National Center for Construction Education and Research – the national standard for training workers in the construction industry.
Program Director Christie Scott said the Vocational Village opened with four courses and has since added five more with another new one starting now for a total of 10 courses. Scott said the most recent graduate group combined with a graduation in January includes 17 inmates who completed the business technology class, four in carpentry, 156 in communications technology, 354 in NCCER Core, 253 in forklift, 13 in electrical, 32 in heavy equipment operations, 44 in ICEV computer based certification program.
CMCF Superintendent John Hunt told the May 3 graduates that other inmates are watching the program participants and the desire to learn can be contagious. “Our focus is on getting inmates certified to go out and get jobs. You guys are setting the stage. Other inmates are seeing you do this and they want some of it too,” Hunt said. “I love watching you work. There is so much talent sitting right here and you need to be out there. Just because you went to prison doesn’t mean your life is over.”
That so wonderful and blessed to see them being able to get a talent.
Praise God for those who participated in this service. Will be praying for them as they start a new life in the outside. They can also win others who are heading down the wrong road. May God keep you and don’t forget to go to church also. Take your family and friends. Thank Hime for what He is doing for all of you.
This is excellent! I hope and pray these inmates will utilize these skills and that employees will hire and allow them to remain despite their background. I hope many begin their own business and become productive taxpaying citizens. Blessings to each of them.
Now we can send illegals back home keep up the good work so proud to see this
I wish this was done at all prisons.
Thank you for giving these young men another opportunity to be a better person. We all make mistakes and God give us many chances to redeem ourselves, so blessings to the ones who open the way forward for these young men to become the best they can be. I hope and pray they appreciate this opportunity.
That is great that they are learning a trade so when they get released they can go out and get honest employment and the ones that have families they can start back providing for their family. Furthermore they are less likely to reoffend..
Commissioner Cain has done a great job since he has been there. Average person does not have a clue the shape of
some of the prisons were in.
And in Mississippi they still gone make it hard to get a job with a felony.
I think it’s a great program and those who graduate will find employment soon. I dad used to hire and work some that was incarcerated and got a certificate. He always believed in giving these people “A Second Chance” and never had a problem with them. God Rest his Soul!