CTF welding instructor ignites hope

March 4, 2025

Tiffany Orff, a vocational welding instructor, is shaping futures and igniting hope at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad.

“The fact I’m able to possibly help somebody (learn) a trade they can take outside (and) not come back, is priceless.”
Tiffany Orff, CTF vocational welding instructor

“Welding is cool as a female but just welding is cool, period. I don’t even think it’s abnormal for me,” Orff said. “I can come in here with a sense of purpose that isn’t the same as every other woman out there.”

She also enjoys bucking stereotypes.

“I like the shock factor (and) can be in charge of things women don’t necessarily have access to. I was expected to go in a different route,” she explained. “To just kind of blow away every preconception there is about it, that’s what makes it cool.”

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Helping people find a career path

Her welding students say they are learning valuable skills they can to their lives after incarceration.

“It’s cool because I want to change and she’s helping us with that change. I want to do this when I go home,” said David, an incarcerated welding student. “This isn’t just something to get time (knocked) off (my sentence). This is a real career trade we can learn and utilize outside these walls.”

She said people are often shocked to find out she’s a professional welder working in a prison environment.

“People look at me and they see nails, hair and makeup. Then, I’ll be doing four different (welding) processes and switch-handed and my nose is running. I don’t care,” she explained. “I love this trade.”

Robert is appreciative of her efforts.

“It’s given me the opportunity to learn skills I never knew I could possibly have a chance to learn,” he said.

Orff said she enjoys teaching.

“I love teaching welding (at CTF). The fact I’m able to possibly help somebody (learn) a trade they can take outside (and) not come back, is priceless,” she said.

Video by Chris Medina, Director, TV Communications Specialist
Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications