Program Prepares Prisoners for Future in Construction

By: Abby Cope
Source: Marietta Daily Journal, Ga. (TNS)

MARIETTA—Detainees in the county jail are proving there’s room to build a future—even while behind bars.

On Thursday, the Cobb Jail held a ceremony for graduates of its Construction Ready program.

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What is Construction Ready?

Construction Ready is part of the detention center’s ReAlign Restart mission, which encompasses all of the center’s workforce development programs. Construction Ready is in partnership with Cobb Works and helps detainees gain workforce certifications and resume-building experience to help them reenter the workforce upon release.

Graduates earn eight credentials for the construction industry, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Center for Construction Education and Research certification, as well as certifications in fall protection and laser tools.

The program also teaches professional development skills, such as resumé building and interview techniques.

Daniel Jean-Baptiste just finished his fifth year teaching at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. Jean-Baptiste said it never gets old seeing the impact he has on graduates.

“The program impacts their lives in so many ways,” he said. “It’s skills they can utilize upon release and get a leg up when they get out there. It feels great knowing we’re giving them these opportunities.”

This year’s graduating class built two picnic tables by hand as a class project to show off their newly acquired construction skills.

The detention center rolled out the red carpet, literally, for detainees of the program’s fifth graduating class.

Anthony Welch, the program’s associate director, shook hands with each graduate as he presented them with a certificate of completion.

Each graduate then spoke about their experience.

Baltimore said there was a time prior to his incarceration that he couldn’t get a job due to his inability to read a tape measure.

“Now, I can read a tape measure—and a whole lot more,” Baltimore said.

McMullen thanked Cobb Works and deputies in the detention center for their help along his journey.

“I didn’t have a lot of opportunities like this,” McMullen said. “I feel like nothing can hold me back now, and I’m grateful and blessed for that.”

Rios said despite the uncertainty of what their home life will look like upon release, graduates have peace of mind because of the Construction Ready program.

“Thank you to everyone, for letting us know that this is not the end for us,” Rios said. “A lot of us don’t know what it’ll look like when we go home, especially for those of us who have been here for a while. This is a real blessing, knowing that we have something to go home to no matter what.”

Graduates left with more than just a certificate, but hope for building a better future after their release.