Prison Skills For The Real World. Do They Exist?
Are you, or your loved one, in federal prison? Can any of those classes actually help you in the real world?
Programs vary widely. Prisons with a UNICOR program are sought after for a reason – they actually have a bonding program for inmates that helps them get bonded, so they can actually perform work on the outside in people’s homes.
If you or your loved one doesn’t know about this, they should talk to the UNICOR or education supervisor about this.
Many prisons also have CDL and HVAC classes. Unfortunately, if a prison doesn’t have this, it can be very difficult to transfer to a prison with these programs. Prisons concerned with their population size, including many minimum security facilities seeing higher population turnout following stricter First Step Act implementation, don’t want to lose inmates to justify their jobs and budgets.
One real world skill taught at almost every prison is food service, which, in most locations, leads to ServSafe certification. You actually can use ServSafe certification in the real world.
A certification like this can lead to the difference between working an entry-level job and as a manager at a restaurant or food service establishment. Food service places are very felon friendly in terms of hiring.
Otherwise, many of the classes, jobs, and skills offered in prisons are dependent on the inmate’s drive to learn from their supervisors. Hours earned towards “journeyman certifications” and apprenticeships may not be recognized by accredited programs, despite what the BOP claims.
The most important part is that each inmate takes the initiative to get the most skilled positions in the BOP workforce, demonstrates a willingness to learn, and uses every opportunity to absorb information from their superiors and fellow inmates who may have worked in related fields. Discipline and attitudes like these are invaluable in the real world.