Somerset Community College partners with Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority for inmate re-entry program

The Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority, or SPEDA, has created a first of its kind program for the state of Kentucky. Now inmates in the city of Somerset can take night classes and get certified in several different skills. The program will allow for inmates to shape their futures in a positive way while also helping to replenish the depleted workforce of the state.

The Mayor of Somerset, Alan Keck, was quoted by WTVQ about the goal of the program, saying, “Some of our best employers are struggling to find people and in Somerset-Pulaski County we said it’s not okay to shrug our shoulders and hope it gets better, we want to solve that problem and this program is an example of that.”

When describing the benefits of the program for incarcerated workers, Keck called the program “a second chance at life.”

Keck went on to say, “We think this is truly a win-win. An opportunity for employers to fill a void that they have but, you know, as important maybe more important is for that inmate who has done their time to now have a chance to get back into society and become a productive member of that.” 

So far five inmates from the Pulaski County Detention Center have graduated from Somerset Community College with four certificates in trade skills, a forklift operation certificate, and three welding certificates.

Somerset Community College’s Re-Entry Coordinator, Kyle Wilson, also spoke with WTVQ. He talked about the work the inmates do when participating in the program: “These inmates are on work release during the day. They work intense labor jobs during the day, mowing and trimming and things of that nature, around county parks and city parks and then they come here two nights a week, four hours a night and weld.”

Inmates immediately started full-time work after graduation, even after they finished their sentences. The money made goes directly into a savings account that they will get access to once they are released. 

Gary Carter, who is one of the inmates graduating from the program, called the program life changing, saying, “A lot of inmates get out and they don’t have anything to go to, no family, no home, no vehicle, so they’ll go back to the same thing that got them here in the first place and don’t really have a chance. But with this, once you get out you have a chance.”

While the obvious benefit of the program is that it can set an inmate up for a better life after the completion of their sentence, some of the participants in the program have also found that they have discovered new curiosity and passion. Some of the inmates have even made plans to go back to school to get more advanced degrees in their new fields after release. 

For instance, Jessica McKee plans to move forward in the welding trade: “I hope one day I’ll be able to underground weld or underwater weld. Yeah, that’s something I’m very interested in, I’ve already asked questions and everything about it so I’m very interested in it,” McKee said.

The program has been overwhelmingly supported by all involved parties, and there are hopes that the program will be adopted across the entire state.

More information about Somerset Community College, where these classes are being held, can be found at the school’s website.