Nearly 200 WVCF graduates take pride in achievements

Wabash Valley Correctional Facility

CARLISLE - Today, 199 Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) offenders  reaped the rewards of hard work and celebrated a major life achievement. 

A Graduation Day ceremony was held this afternoon in Carlisle, with offenders donning caps and gowns and proudly earning high school equivalency, vocational and apprenticeship certification.  Family members were in attendance to witness this crucial step on the road to re-entering society. 

Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) funded educational programs are important mechanisms in reducing the recidivism rate among released offenders.  A new WVCF program, geared to help offenders find jobs upon release, will see its first graduates in 2016. 

Career Development Training (CDT) is computer based and features offender instructors.  WVCF Unit Team Manager Heather Blasingame coordinates CDT and said the first graduates will be teaching other offenders the basics of preparing a resume, interviewing and developing a career plan prior to release.  Successful completion adds up to a six month time cut.         
 
Apprenticeship programs offered through the United States Department of Labor continue to flourish with 45 WVCF graduates this year.  Apprenticeships also provide employment enhancing skills for offenders upon release. 
   
Mark Hill, Executive Director of the United Way of Knox County, Indiana and Crawford County, Illinois was the featured speaker for the 2016 graduates and their guests.