Indiana State Prison Celebrates
Inaugural Class of Offender Graduates

Michigan City, Ind. – Warden Ron Neal at the Indiana State Prison are proud to announce six offenders have graduated with certifications from Ivy Tech Community College. The offenders received the certificates for completion of Basic Electricity and Electric Motors vocational courses. Each course included six weeks of classroom and hands on training.

Warden Neal stated, “This was our first group of Offenders to complete the new courses with Ivy Tech and we currently have plans for three additional cohorts. I am very pleased with our partnership with Ivy Tech to offer these courses and look forward to increasing job training readiness programs for offenders approaching their release dates.” He continued, “Another great thing about these programs is offenders can complete the six week course here while incarcerated and continue that career path with Ivy Tech upon release to help them obtain truly meaningful employment”.

The students believe these courses will increase their opportunity and give them gainful employment upon their release. Student Diaz stated, “By completing this class I will have the opportunity to enroll at any Ivy Tech Community College when released from prison because the classes directly transfer to outside credits”.

Rolando Gonzales, the instructor for the students stated, “The students did a terrific job with no safety issues and finished all the projects assigned." The students echoed Mr. Gonzales did a wonderful job in presenting practicum and text book activities.

Graduate Richard Taylor with Electrical Instructor Rolando Gonzales.

Background

As a part of Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Agenda, the program trains men at the Indiana State Prison in high-priority industries and in-demand, high-paying jobs with the ultimate goal of aligning them with gainful employment in the industry upon release. Currently Indiana’s correctional facilities house about 27,000 offenders—and more than 90 percent of them will eventually be released back into Hoosier communities. 

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