BILLINGS – At Montana’s women’s prison, inmates have the opportunity to learn necessary life skills and trades for their lives after incarceration.
This August, inmates will learn two basic types of welding from experts.
Mack Carmack, MTN News
The rented trailer parked outside Montana’s women’s prison seems nothing special at first glance, but inside, lives are changing.
“This is actually something I want to do as a career,” said one inmate in the course. Most of the inmates did not want to be named in this story.
Montana State University’s Great Falls College’s generator-powered trailer has six welding stations and a small classroom in the front. It’s a mobile classroom designed to teach inmates job skills and prepare them for life after prison.
Mack Carmack, MTN News
“We get two different certifications through this. So it’s pretty exciting. And it’s through the American Welding Society, so it’s really fun. I really enjoy it,” said another inmate, identified only by her first name, April.
For another inmate, this course not only helps her break the monotony of everyday life, but also helps her regain her self-confidence.
“I thought I was so good, and then it destroyed my confidence. But then the teacher came and said, ‘Hey, you’re actually doing pretty well.’ And that boosted my confidence, which made me persevere and keep going,” she said.
Mack Carmack, MTN News
This inmate was one of six students selected for the course. About 80 signed up for the course, and half a dozen were selected based on criteria such as good behavior. April is enjoying the program just as much.
“I think it would give us more opportunities to use our time and energy more creatively and be more productive,” April said.
The course is led by welding expert Sam Russell, who believes that these types of programs are important for the livelihoods of incarcerated individuals.
“I think it’s great for them. I really do. Like I said, they want to be here. They enjoy it. I think it’s good for them,” he said.
“I was nervous (about the fire) and then he said, ‘No, it’s something to do with electricity,’ and then I was even more nervous. Then when I was there, I thought, ‘Oh man,’ this is actually pretty cool,” said one of the inmates.
Mack Carmack, MTN News
Although this program is a new project and has only been implemented in Helena, April and her fellow students hope that other women can learn these skills while in prison.
“Hopefully there are many other women who will continue it,” she said.
