Sheriff Austin Garrett on Monday officially announced the opening of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Re-Entry Program’s new Electrical Vocational Program for inmates. This program is part of Sheriff Garrett’s vision to expand the agency’s Re-Entry Program to include vocational training for inmates in the field of electrical services.
The electrical program was implemented at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center and will provide inmates with work-ready skills. These skills will assist inmates with finding and maintaining a job that will provide them with a livable wage. The electrical program is funded by an OCJP Evidence-Based Program Grant. The HCSO Reentry program, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, along with Chattanooga State Technical Community College, and the McKenzie Foundation have partnered to provide tuition, instructors, and the curriculum. Inmates will also be given the opportunity to continue their education at Chattanooga State by transferring the hours they receive in the vocational program upon release.
Classroom instruction will be facilitated by Mike Ring who is a licensed instructor at T-CAT. Inmates attend classes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The goal is to create a pathway for inmates to continue their training and one day become licensed electricians. This will give them another tool to keep them from reoffending and ultimately reduce recidivism rates.
“The HCSO is proud to partner with County Mayor Wamp to use grant funding to support the educational and vocational needs of the inmates in the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center. Our goal here is clear… We want to help inmates receive the services and occupational training necessary to reduce recidivism, earn a livable wage, and experience a productive life upon release and this funding will allow us this opportunity,” said Sheriff Garrett.
Currently, the HCSO Re-Entry Program offers a Cosmetology Program for inmates and our next vocational programs to be implemented at the jail will focus on welding and carpentry.