NewsBreak! Articles > November 12, 2008

NC DOC/CAGC PRISON RE-ENTRY PILOT PROJECT

The N.C. Department of Correction and Carolinas AGC are launching a pilot program that is designed to keep skilled former inmates from returning to prison and help provide manpower for the construction industry. The pilot project proposal was approved by the N.C. Prison Construction/CAGC Joint Committee at its Nov. 5, 2008 meeting in Raleigh. The committee is co-chaired by Doug Allen of J. H. Allen Co. and Bill Stovall of the DOC. 

The DOC's Inmate Construction Program (ICP) offers job training opportunities for inmates to acquire marketable trade skills which will ultimately assist them with their eventual transition back to their local communities and into the workforce as tax-paying citizens.  ICP Inmates also have the opportunity to document their newly acquired skills with journeyman certifications issued through the N.C. Department of Labor.   

The ICP, along with the CAGC, are combining efforts to market and place journeyman certified ex-offenders with employment opportunities within their field of experience. ICP, with the assistance of DOC’s Transition Services, will provide and distribute for the ex-offender, a professional resume and cover letter to CAGC as an Employment Security Commission, Job Link, or directly to employers interested in hiring qualified personnel. ICP will also provide to CAGC, a list of inmates to be released within the year, along with information regarding certifications and years of experience with the ICP (see attachment)

Certification areas include:

            Masonry                               Pipefitting
            Carpentry                            Concrete Finish
            Electrical                             Drywall
            HVAC                                   Painting
            Plumbing

For more information, please contact:

            Don Ellis
            ICP Apprenticeship Coordinator
            Department of Correction
            Central Engineering Division
            2020 Yonkers Road, MSC 4216
            Raleigh, N.C. 27699-4216
            Phone: (919) 716-3428
            Fax: (919) 716- 3978
            Email: edl17@doc.state.nc.us
   
The NC Prison Construction/CAGC Joint Committee includes Doug Allen, Chairman, J. H. Allen, Inc.; Keith Allen, Inland Const. Co.; James Beasley, Bryant-Durham Electric Co.; Blair Bordeaux, Bordeaux  Const. Co.; Keith Coltrain, Elmore & Wall, P.A.; Steve Fijalkowski, Turner Const. Co.; and Doug Harrell, Roanoke Cement; David Helm, Pinnix, Inc.; Bruce Kerr, Balfour Beatty Const. Co.; Charles Moss, Hickory Const. Co.; John Muter, Barnhill Contr. Co.; Cleve Paul, D. S. Simmons, Inc.; Roy Pogrzeba, Bovis Lend Lease; Daniel Simmons, H B S Contrs., Inc.; Calvin Stevens, Balfour Beatty Const. Co. DOC members include Bill Stovall, Jake Freeman, Don Ellis and Dale Aiken. Dave Simpson, NC building director for CAGC, staffs this committee.