The California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) in partnership with Surplus Service and CDCR opened a new Joint Venture Program at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) in Soledad.
The new program will provide valuable job training to incarcerated individuals for employment in the e-waste management industry.
“This is the beginning of your career,” said CALPIA’s General Manager Bill Davidson. “You have the opportunity to learn the skills right now and upon returning to your communities, have a career with Surplus Service. Thank you for investing in yourselves. Please continue with the great work you are doing. I wish you all the success.”
CTF Warden Edward Borla attended the event in support of CALPIA’s partnership with Surplus Service.
“Programming means a lot to the individuals who are here today. It is all about reinvesting and rehabilitating,” said CTF Warden Edward Borla. “I am so proud that we are able to offer this program here at CTF.”
CALPIA Joint Venture Program partners private industry, state
CALPIA’s Joint Venture Program is a unique partnership between private industry and the state of California. The program is designed to support the successful reintegration of incarcerated individuals into society.
Participants earn industry-standard wages comparable to what they would receive for the same work outside prison. From these earnings taxes are withheld and deductions are made for room and board, family support, trust/canteen accounts, mandatory savings, and victims’ restitution.
“Every person deserves the opportunity to grow beyond their past; to rebuild and contribute meaningfully to their community,” said Debi Kamakani, CALPIA’s Assistant General Manager of Workforce Development. “The Joint Venture program is a shining example of what that opportunity looks like.”
Training for e-waste careers
Surplus Service is an industry leader in secure asset management and e-waste solutions based in Fremont. Their operation focuses on electronic waste recycling and repurposing. Surplus Service’s goal is to provide robust reporting on zero-waste solutions that lead to the reuse of electronics rather than just recycling them.
“We’re excited to partner with the Joint Venture Program because we see strong synergy between its business model and our collective missions,” said Lou Ramondetta, President of Surplus Service. “Our motto is, ‘We give people and products a second opportunity for life,’ and the Joint Venture Program is a meaningful way to advance our shared goals.”
By Stephanie Eres, Public Information Officer, CALPIA
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