Correctional Forum

Feel-Good Story of the Week

The California Institute for Women in Corona held a graduation ceremony recently for the first class of its new re-entry education program. The program is an apprenticeship that gives its students vocational training in carpentry and offers them an apprenticeship for construction work in south Los Angeles when they graduate.

"We have a responsibility on our side to give you an opportunity when you leave this prison to be able to succeed," said Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary James Tilton. "It is the equivalent of a college degree, and you have a huge upside to come out of here and get those jobs."

The class' main project was the construction of a new training facility for inmates at the prison, which was recently completed and is now being put to use.

At state prison in Corona, inmates can build careers [LA Times]

Tuesday's International: Made in Jail

Made in Jail is a line of everything from T-shirts to handbags designed and made by prisoners and ex-offenders in Italy. An ex-offender named Silvio Palermo came up with the business plan when he was incarcerated in the 80's. The co-op does turn a profit, which some people are upset about, but the business is legal, and it helps to raise awareness about prison life and the challenges people face when they get out. If you happen to speak Italian, you can take a look at the co-op's website. To read the full story or get the podcast, go here.

Hawaii says aloha to re-entry

An editorial, by Kat Brady (the coordinator for the Community Alliance on Prisons) in Hawaii's Star Bulletin, touts re-entry as a sound money-saving policy. The article is below:

Helping isle inmates re-enter society is sensible, saves money

Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind. But, in fact, many of our people do get left behind. Some get left behind because they broke the law, the consequences of which have branded them with the scarlet F for felon. For our people who have been incarcerated, making the transition from institutional to community life -- the re-entry process -- can be difficult without help.

Our Legislature wisely recognized this need, and re-entry was the centerpiece of corrections legislation for the Public Safety committees in both the House and the Senate last session. Senate Bill 932 -- the Community Safety Act, now awaiting the governor's signature -- establishes a re-entry system for adults exiting prison, authorizes the Hawaii Paroling Authority to parole people to the island where they have the most support, and funds innovative programs designed to reduce recidivism by rebuilding lives, restoring ohana and revitalizing communities.