Valley State Prison (VSP) in Chowchilla celebrated a milestone as the first 17 incarcerated individuals graduated from the Correctional Construction Mentorship (CCM) program. The students were recognized during an Aug. 6 ceremony.
For the past several years, the 17 graduates served as the institution’s skilled construction workforce, performing critical maintenance and infrastructure projects throughout the prison. Their expertise spans a variety of trades, including structural welding, industrial electrical work, carpentry, plumbing and roofing.
“We aren’t just giving them something to pass the time,” said Jon Keller, a journeyman carpenter at VSP. “We are giving them a union card, a marketable skill and a legitimate shot at a good life. When they walk out those gates, they won’t have to look for work. They’ll already have a career path waiting for them.”
What is CCM?
The CCM program provides rigorous, hands-on training in high-demand trades such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing and welding. Developed in partnership with local labor unions and state workforce agencies, the curriculum mirrors the standards of commercial apprenticeship programs. This ensures participants earn industry-recognized certifications while preparing for careers upon release.
Participants completed hundreds of hours of classroom instruction and supervised hands-on training. In addition to technical trade skills, the program emphasized workplace safety, financial literacy and professional communication.
The program was designed to address one of the most significant barriers faced by justice-involved individuals: securing meaningful employment after incarceration. By aligning training opportunities with current labor market demands, graduates leave the program with marketable and immediately applicable skills.
The graduation ceremony recognized the dedication, perseverance and craftsmanship demonstrated by each participant throughout the program. Family members, staff, labor partners and community stakeholders gathered to celebrate the graduates’ achievements and the positive impact of vocational education within California’s correctional system.
The CCM Pre-Apprenticeship Program reflects VSP’s ongoing commitment to rehabilitation through education, workforce development and career readiness. By providing industry-recognized training and pathways to union apprenticeships, the program equips participants with the tools necessary to build productive futures and strengthen the communities to which they will one day return.
As the first CCM graduating class crossed the stage, VSP continues to demonstrate rehabilitation and workforce development can create meaningful opportunities, transforming experience gained behind the walls into lifelong careers.
Submitted by Lt. J. Reyes
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