Wabash Valley Correctional Facility

CARLISLE --  It's graduation day AND an anniversary celebration today at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility!  The Indiana Department of Correction’s (IDOC) industries program, PEN (Prison Enterprises Network)  marked ten years of providing certified work skills training at WVCF with a graduation ceremony of its latest U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Apprenticeship class this afternoon. 
 
“Over the last ten years the IDOC/PEN/U.S. Department of Labor partnership has grown from a single facility and a single job title apprenticeship program to over 1,400 apprenticeships completed annually.  We are proud to be a part of this program,” says Bruce Lemmon, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction.
 
The program has also been a virtual lifesaver for participants like Bryan Brown.  He credits the apprenticeship program for teaching him skills, like computer graphics, which opened the doors to other facility jobs.  Brown said PEN jobs have allowed him to help others during his long incarceration.  “Skills PEN taught me led to volunteering in programs like Fatherhood, PLUS (Purposeful Living Units Serve) and our Compassionate Care Program.  PEN programs kept me out of trouble and made me a better person.”   Brown now works in the PEN sewing shop at the maximum-security facility.          
 
PEN has operated industries programs at WVCF for over 19 years including PEN print services which served as the pilot for the USDOL program in 2006.  Indiana’s correctional USDOL Apprenticeship program has been implemented throughout IDOC and is a recognized national leader. The objective of the program to prepare offenders with job skills for a successful re-entry back to our communities.
 
“We are extremely proud to have our offenders enroll and complete such a viable training and education program.  Through the commitment to this training by PEN, offenders will have a greater chance of finding employment after release,” states Superintendent Dick Brown.

​PEN is a division of the Indiana Department of Correction.  PEN’s mission is to employ offenders within Indiana’s correctional facilities, providing meaningful jobs, instilling a work ethic and providing certified marketable skills.
 
“We are proud to recognize graduates of the apprenticeship program as we grow our partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor.  Offenders that leave prison with valuable job skills are less likely to return to prison,” states PEN Director, Mike Herron.

• UPDATE-- Silver Alert has been canceled.
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• Indiana State Police
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• LAFAYETTE- The Clinton County Sheriff is investigating the disappearance of an adult from Lafayette, Indiana. Lafayette, Indiana is located approximately 25 miles northwest of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Roger Lewis is an 83 -year -old white male, 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 185 lbs., with gray hair and brown eyes. Roger Lewis was wearing a black windbreaker or orange jacket. Roger Lewis was last seen today, September 30, 2016, at 6:00 am EDT in Paducah, Kentucky, and is believed to be in danger.

​Roger Lewis may be disoriented and require medical attention.  He is believed to be driving a 2009 silver Nissan Versa with Indiana license plate SYN174.
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If you have any information on Roger Lewis, contact the Clinton County Sheriff by calling 765-654-5563.