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Ten soon to be released inmates at Madison Correctional Facility graduated from a newly created welding program. The partnership teaches the women everything they need to know to get good paying, in-demand jobs once they're released.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- We first told you the story last month about a program that teaches female inmates at a southern Indiana prison about the ins and outs of welding.
Ten inmates at the Madison Correctional Facility in Indiana are learning to weld. They've now graduated from the program, and that accomplishment gives them hope for their futures.
Jessica Brackett is one of the newly certified welders who graduated from the program created specifically for Indiana inmates. "When you first pick up a welder, and it's the very first time you've done it and you've never done it before, it's a bit overwhelming," said Brackett.
With her family seated in the second row, Brackett mouthed a message to her three kids. She says she completed the program for them. "I just want them to see that people make mistakes and that it shouldn't define them, and that they can be a better person, and that I love them and do anything I can for them," said Brackett.
"I think she's a good mom no matter what and she tries her best to take care of us," said her daughter, Jayleigh Hudson.
Brackett is a prisoner at the Madison Correctional Facility. She's almost finished with an eight-year sentence. She, along with nine other soon-to-be-released prisoners, learned to weld at Ivy Tech. The partnership with the Indiana Department of Corrections taught the women everything they need to know to land good paying, in-demand jobs once they're released.
"It means that I'll be able to support my family without help, and that they'll be able to live a good life, and go to good schools and live in a safe home and have nice clothes on their back. And that's what I've worked for," said Brackett.
The intensive 80-hour course culminated with a graduation ceremony. Many of the women will be released within the year, including Brittany Young, the first student to make it through the class.
She went from praying in a prison cell to delivering the commencement speech. "Thank you for not giving me a lower sentence. I needed this five years. I needed to sit still. I needed to learn. I needed people to be proud and believe in me," said Young.
She is scheduled to be released on June 7 after five years behind bars. "I dealt drugs in order to make money. Now I have a job, a good job, I'm going to be able to pay bills, I'm going to be able to do everything I need to do to be successful," said Young.
In 2016, 27 percent of women released from Indiana prisons re-offended. Young is determined not to be one of those women. "It gave me every tool I need to have a job and succeed in the community," said Young.
As for Brackett, she's got employment pending, and hopes to be back home with her kids by the end of the year.
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natureofmyreality on February 3rd, 2018 at 19:43 UTC »
Former Hoosier here. I had the unique experience of touring a women's prison (located on the west side of Indianapolis) four years ago for my undergraduate degree. Let me tell you: indiana prison does it right.
Several notable things about this prison: the prisoners get certified to train seeing eye dogs and emotional support dogs at this facility. They have a mother's wing where pregnant inmates and those with babies under two years can actually raise the babies in the prison (it was incredible what being able to nurse/raise their children did for these women). They also create tents for Africa that keep mosquitos out, which had greatly reduced the number of Africans with malaria. They also create quilts, stuffed animals, and other sewn items for homeless families in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. These are just some of the ways the prisoners are learning to better themselves and the world around them. Indiana women's prison is incredible and I have deep respect for it's workers, and for the prisoners that learn from their mistakes and gain the skills necessary to successfully reenter society. Edited: two words
Cheesy_Bacon_Splooge on February 3rd, 2018 at 17:12 UTC »
This is exactly the type of reforms that should be pushed in prisons, jobs training and certifications for both male and female inmates. The benefits are for all of society. You would probably see further reductions in crime and opioid abuse with these kinds of programs if they were supplemented by in prison rehab as well.
redsooz on February 3rd, 2018 at 15:47 UTC »
That’s how you reduce recidivism.