Program One
The first program is the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) program which offers nationally recognize and accredited certification courses such as dental technology, automotive services, and food handling. Cal ID programs are also offered to county jails on a refundable basis.
How is the program used?
The CALPIA program is one of the best prison rehabilitation programs employed in the state of California. It recruits prisoners for projects such as construction and maintenance work and equips them with hands on experience training which helps refine their labor skills. The CALPIA program enhances productivity among offenders and reduces the cost of incarceration.
How do inmates enter the program?
Inmates can enroll into the CALPIA program through the Inmate Employability Program (IEP) which enhances the law offenders to get appropriate and meaningful jobs during transition periods from prison to the real world of employment. Continuous evaluation of prisoners’ skills and work habits is done through the IEP to prepare them better and improve their resourcefulness ("About CALPIA Rehabilitating Offenders through Job Training", 2011).
What is the purpose of the program?
The CALPIA program provides funds to CTE programs and meets its obligations and self-sufficiency by enrolling inmates to become CALPIA participants and incur benefits associated with the program. CALPIA helps prisoners attain multiple job skills and boost their self-esteem and confidence levels ("Industry Employment Program", 2011). Through the Transition to Employment Program, CALPIA participants can obtain required documents for employment and obtain DMV appointments to enable them to acquire a driving license or identification card, social security, and access to the job center of California. Many offenders associated with the CALPIA program are less likely to return to prison compared with general inmates. Therefore, this program is not recommended for Centervale.
Program Two
The second program is known as the Honor program which offers incentives for positive behavior and accountability for each individual such that they can efficiently perform their actions.
How is the program used?
The Honor program is utilized in lowering violence, drug use and abuse, and crime rates. It’s considered a particularly effective program in California partly due to its openness in allowing prisoners to choose individual accountability or personal responsibility. Inmates are separated on the basis of whether they want to change or improve themselves ("Fast Facts and Information on the Honor Program", 2007).
How do inmates enter the program?
Offenders can enroll in this program if they are free from drug use and don’t associate with prison gangs. These prisoners should agree to work with their fellow prisoners and possess the desire to live. Inmates who enter this program have clean records of drug use and are encouraged to create an Individual Development (ID) plan that they use to get into the Honor program.
What is the purpose of the program?
The primary goal of the Honor program is to create safe surroundings where the prisoners can co-exist in peace. The program is aimed at providing respect and cooperation to prisoners at the best level. With such an environment, prisoners are able to work on self-improvement so that they can achieve their rehabilitative objectives (Rushfan, 2008). The Honor program makes offenders accountable and responsible for their actions and should not be used for Centervale.
References
About CALPIA Rehabilitating Offenders Through Job Training. (2011). Calpia.ca.gov. Retrieved 20 April 2016, from http://calpia.ca.gov/About_PIA/AboutPIA.aspx
Fast Facts and Information on the Honor Program. (2007). Prisonhonorprogram.org. Retrieved 20 April 2016, from http://www.prisonhonorprogram.org/Fast_Facts.htm
Industry Employment Program. (2011). CALPIA. Retrieved 20 April 2016, from http://pia.ca.gov/OffenderDevelopment/IEP.aspx
Rushfan,. (2008). Top 10 Modern Prison Programs - Listverse. Listverse. Retrieved 20 April 2016, from http://listverse.com/2008/08/14/top-10-modern-prison-programs/
