INITATIVE AIMED AT GIVING INMATES SKILLS FOR SUCCESS
By: Sachet A. Sullivan
Inmates at the Iron County Jail were honored today during a small awards ceremony held in the facility’s schoolroom.
The celebration marked a pivotal moment for many of the men, with some achieving a personal milestone for the first time in their lives. For these inmates, it was the first time setting a goal and successfully completing it, making the occasion even more significant.
All 11 inmates sat proudly in their chairs, waiting for their names to be called and their awards presented.
Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter tearfully delivered heartfelt remarks as he addressed the men, offering words of encouragement and lessons to live by for the future.
As the men stood to accept their awards, Sgt. Michelle Walker and Lieutenant Shalon Shaver worked hard to ensure the video systems were functioning properly for families attending virtually. Smiles spread across their faces as they took photos for the families and shared in moments of laughter with the inmates, reflecting their pride in the men’s achievements.
Teachers from both programs sat proudly, listening as their students gave speeches, turning the event into what could be described as a red-carpet moment.
In a scene reminiscent of a movie, one man accepted his GED, with tassels and a medallion placed around his neck. As the tassels were being placed, another inmate shouted, “two chains,” causing the room to erupt in laughter.
When asked by the Sheriff about his future goals following graduation and his subsequent release, the man said, “I’m excited to get out of here and do something good,” adding that he plans to attend Salt Lake Community College in the near future.
The celebration highlighted the success of two programs offered at the jail: InsideOut Dad and I.G.N.I.T.E., an initiative providing GED education, skilled trades, and enrichment courses to incarcerated men and women.
I.G.N.I.T.E
One of the programs featured in today’s ceremony is part of the jail’s I.G.N.I.T.E. (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education) initiative, which was implemented in Iron County by Sheriff Carpenter’s administration in January 2024.
“The idea is that through education, we improve ourselves, and we improve the situation in which you’re currently in” said Sheriff Carpenter as he described the program to the inmates.
The I.G.N.I.T.E. Program is an educational initiative offered through the National Sheriff’s Association, designed to prepare inmates for successful reintegration into society.
Launched in 2021 in Genesee County, Michigan, the program provides inmates with the opportunity to spend two hours a day, five days a week, in classes or courses. These courses allow participants to earn credits toward a GED, learn a skilled trade, or explore enrichment topics such as English and Financial Literacy.
The program aims to help inmates define their interests, gain valuable skills, and work toward future employment, supporting their efforts to build a better future upon release.
After learning about the success of the initiative, Sheriff Carpenter and his jail lieutenant traveled to Michigan and swiftly worked to bring it to Iron County. This move made Utah the 11th state in the nation to implement the program at the time.
InsideOut Dad
InsideOut Dad is designed to help inmates strengthen and manage their relationships with their children during incarceration.
Graduates of the 12-week course proudly shared how they developed valuable skills in communication, patience, stress management, and co-parenting. Many participants, not yet fathers, said they look forward to applying what they’ve learned when the time comes.
Many of the men stated the program offered collective skills for life, not just parenthood.
At the conclusion of the program, inmates are provided with workbooks containing reflective questions designed to help them consider how to apply the skills they’ve learned.
The course encourages participants to make a personal pledge to themselves, outlining ways they can use their new skillset to become better men.
One graduate, who was fortunate enough to be released after the ceremony, spoke about what he learned during the course.
“I’ve always been a leader, but I kind of fell off. This taught me a lot of things,” said the graduate.
When questioned about how his demeanor has changed from the course he stated “I’m more mature, I’ve grown mentally and spiritually. I communicate better. I’m more understanding and have a stronger mindset.”
InsideOut Dad was launched in 2013 as a pilot program from the Utah State University. The program quickly grew after a local jail commander in Juab County requested it. Within months, other facilities also sought to implement it.
The program later secured a five-year grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, which was renewed in 2020 for $5 million. The program has now received $10 million in federal funding.
The InsideOut Dad program uses a curriculum from the National Fatherhood Initiative which aims to help men become more involved and responsible fathers.
OTHER JAIL PROGRAMS
The Iron County Jail offers several programs aimed at helping offenders gain meaningful skills, some of which reduce the financial burden of incarceration on taxpayers.
One such program is a culinary course for state and federal inmates housed at the jail.
The course provides inmates with the opportunity to gain kitchen skills, which can lead to future employment. Inmates in this program spend most of their time cooking for county jail residents, allowing them to serve their time in a smaller, safer environment while reducing the need for paid kitchen staff.
“It’s only costing us about $1.00 a meal to feed each inmate,” said Sheriff Carpenter, underscoring the program’s cost-effectiveness and its role in preparing inmates for life after incarceration.
FUTURE PROGRAMS
As the new Iron County Jail is projected to open in December 2026, Sheriff Carpenter was asked about future programs coming to the new jail.
“We’ve got a new welding program we’re working on, where inmates will be taught the trade through virtual reality,” said Sheriff Carpenter.
With the many changes coming with the new jail, Sheriff Carpenter expressed excitement for the future of educational programming in the new facility.
https://cehs.usu.edu/news/2024/insideout-dads
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