A program in Harrisburg helps train inmates at Dauphin County Prison to help them enter back into the work force.
In the program, inmates have the opportunity to learn homebuilding while giving back to the community.
The inmates go through the program, and by the time they're done and they graduate, they've served their time and they're ready to go to work and continue their lives.
"I had a little problem once upon a time and I was incarcerated for something I didn't do, but it afforded me the opportunity to actually join this program with the knowledge that I had and learn a little bit more and actually help out in the project," explained graduate Fred Miller.
Fred Miller graduated from the Home Builders Institute Pre-Apprenticeship training program in July after being in prison for 90 days, and now he says he's doing great at his restoration company.
"I acquired two trucks, business is kind of like booming right now," exclaimed Miller.
The program has been around for about two years in Harrisburg, and so far it's been a success.
"This program was created to provide skills training for individuals in the Dauphin County Prison who are interested in learning skills to make them more marketable for employment once they are released from prison," commented Home Builders Institute Program Manager Amy Strawser.
"You learn things that you probably would overlook in the outside world," continued Miller.
The program lasts between 9 and 12 weeks, and students are taught everything from carpentry work, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, weatherization - and even resume work.
"We'll get a new student in, we'll do classroom work and safety, and then tool identification, then we'll come out in the shop where we can actually do hands-on of basic instruction of building," explained Home Builders Institute Vocational Instructor Rick Oberlin.
Current students say the training is extremely effective.
"I feel that through this program I have a better advantage than if I didn't go through the program," Tom Mullen told us, who has been with the program for eight weeks.
To get more hands-on experience, the program goes out into the city and helps restore and upkeep buildings.
"We painted pretty much the whole building up at the Dauphin Fish Hatchery and it was pretty rundown and it was hit with the flood because it's right along Clark's Creek so we did a lot of maintenance and repairs on that building,” added Mullen. “We go to the Humane Society every Wednesday and do upkeep because it helps them save money on the animals."
Tom Mullen has been with the program for 8 weeks, and during that time he's had the opportunity to learn a lot, while giving back.
"It feels good,” Mullen told CBS 21. “I'm doing something positive."
In addition to learning how to work in the business, those in the program said it really helped teach them how to work together to finish projects.
In the program, inmates have the opportunity to learn homebuilding while giving back to the community.
The inmates go through the program, and by the time they're done and they graduate, they've served their time and they're ready to go to work and continue their lives.
"I had a little problem once upon a time and I was incarcerated for something I didn't do, but it afforded me the opportunity to actually join this program with the knowledge that I had and learn a little bit more and actually help out in the project," explained graduate Fred Miller.
Fred Miller graduated from the Home Builders Institute Pre-Apprenticeship training program in July after being in prison for 90 days, and now he says he's doing great at his restoration company.
"I acquired two trucks, business is kind of like booming right now," exclaimed Miller.
The program has been around for about two years in Harrisburg, and so far it's been a success.
"This program was created to provide skills training for individuals in the Dauphin County Prison who are interested in learning skills to make them more marketable for employment once they are released from prison," commented Home Builders Institute Program Manager Amy Strawser.
"You learn things that you probably would overlook in the outside world," continued Miller.
The program lasts between 9 and 12 weeks, and students are taught everything from carpentry work, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, weatherization - and even resume work.
"We'll get a new student in, we'll do classroom work and safety, and then tool identification, then we'll come out in the shop where we can actually do hands-on of basic instruction of building," explained Home Builders Institute Vocational Instructor Rick Oberlin.
Current students say the training is extremely effective.
"I feel that through this program I have a better advantage than if I didn't go through the program," Tom Mullen told us, who has been with the program for eight weeks.
To get more hands-on experience, the program goes out into the city and helps restore and upkeep buildings.
"We painted pretty much the whole building up at the Dauphin Fish Hatchery and it was pretty rundown and it was hit with the flood because it's right along Clark's Creek so we did a lot of maintenance and repairs on that building,” added Mullen. “We go to the Humane Society every Wednesday and do upkeep because it helps them save money on the animals."
Tom Mullen has been with the program for 8 weeks, and during that time he's had the opportunity to learn a lot, while giving back.
"It feels good,” Mullen told CBS 21. “I'm doing something positive."
In addition to learning how to work in the business, those in the program said it really helped teach them how to work together to finish projects.