Workforce Training Program Offered to Crenshaw County Inmates
By Julia Avant Feb 3, 2025 Orignal Article Link
LUVERNE, Ala. (WSFA) – A free workforce training program is being offered to those incarcerated in Crenshaw County.
Every day looks the same behind bars. Not even their thoughts can escape.
“It’s stressful. It gets a little easier, but you still miss your family,” said inmate Matthew Davis.
Right now, offenses like theft and possession of a firearm are read on some of these inmates’ records. Officials are hoping this new program will give them something to live for.
“If you don’t have an education, if you don’t have skills, and it’s extremely tough to find a good-quality, high-paying job,” said Crenshaw County District Judge Jon Folmar.
The county approached Lurleen B. Wallace Community College to enroll its inmates in the college’s Skills for Success program. This is a program anyone in the state of Alabama can enroll in.
“It is a free basic training in a wide variety of jobs that the state has specifically identified as high-demand and high-paying jobs,” said Lurleen B. Wallace Community College workforce coordinator Jeanni Sanders.
Heavy machinery, electrical, CDL and food and beverage certifications are being offered.
More than 30 licenses have already been issued and 66 inmates are on their way to receive their credentials by the end of February.
These men say they are ready to get to work and their hoping employers will welcome them too.
“It’s all about second chances. That’s something that’s earned, not given, so if we pay our our debts to society, I hope that they’ll look over that, our mistakes,” said inmate Sawyer Norris.