Classes help build inmates’ character
EL CENTRO — Twenty-six Imperial County jail inmates were recognized Thursday for completing Imperial Valley College classes and high school equivalency exams offered at the facility.
The certificate ceremony capped months of hard work for Francisco Ruiz, who admitted he wasn’t much of a dedicated student during his formative years.
Yet, Ruiz was among a select group of inmates who completed both an IVC welding and art class, all while he performed his work duties, attended high school equivalency classes and was enrolled in a firefighter academy and substance use studies class offered by IVC.
“I had good day and bad days,” the 34-year-old Brawley resident said. “But thanks to the help of other students and teachers I managed to hang in there.”
For his efforts, the organizers of Thursday’s ceremony also presented Ruiz with a certificate that was awarded to the inmate-student whose actions best demonstrated a high degree of character.
Developing and safeguarding one’s character was a recurring theme among officials who also spoke during Thursday’s ceremony outside of the Herbert Hughes Correctional Center, where inmate-students’ family members were also present.
Aside from helping inmates pursue academic and career goals, the inmate programming provided by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and IVC officials are also meant to help promote values that will benefit the inmate and the community upon their release from custody.
“The thing we’re striving for the most is to help you build character and those values,” said Gaylla Finnell, coordinator of the facility’s Inside/Out Program, which allows low-level offenders to enroll in IVC courses hosted at the facility and the campus.
This academic cycle marked the first time that inmate-students had the opportunity to earn up to 11 units in college credit, just one credit shy of being officially considered a full-time student.
The five-unit welding class proved to be a logistical challenge, Finnell said, since it required inmate-students to participate in a three-hour class at the jail on Fridays followed by a six-hour class at IVC on Saturdays.
“It really is possible because of our close relationship with IVC,” she said.
IVC President and Superintendent Martha Garcia was also on hand to congratulate the inmate-students on their recent achievements.
While praising them for academically outperforming regular campus students, Garcia also reminded them that the campus continues to enroll its fair share of former inmates in pursuit of a higher education or career training.
“I challenge you to continue excelling in the manner that you have,” Garcia said. “And I hope to see you wearing graduation attire for those of you that continue on at Imperial Valley College.”
The inmate-students were able to enroll in IVC classes while in custody with the help of the statewide College Promise program, which waives certain fees for first-time freshman students.
Next semester, IVC plans to offer inmates an opportunity to enroll in an air-conditioning class as well as a 30hour OSHA safety training class for the first time.
The current level of inmate programming is a wide departure from the limited level of programming that was available to inmates about 10 years ago. ICSO Sgt. Robert Wilson said much of that expansion is owed to Corrections Chief Deputy Jamie Clayton’s arrival about nine years ago.
Clayton, in turn, thanked the agency’s partners, including the county Probation Department, and the GEO Group, a third party that provides rehabilitative services at the Imperial County Day Reporting Center.
“We couldn’t do any of this without the support of the partners that we have,” Clayton said. “It’s amazing the things that we can do.”
Research has shown that inmates who attend college classes while incarcerated are 45 percent less likely to reoffend, officials said.
Inmate-student Adan Cota-Juarez told those gathered that many inmates found being enrolled in the welding and art classes to be equally challenging and rewarding.
“All of us students appreciate the fact that the teachers took time out of their lives and made an effort to provide us an opportunity to better ourselves,” Cota-Juarez said.
As a sign of appreciation, inmate-students presented gifts to their instructors, including Thermoses and tote bags.
Welding instructor Frank Cervantes was also presented with a customized welding cap and orange bandana, while Finnell was presented with as metal sculpture of a rose.
Imperial County Office of Education Superintendent Todd Finnell also congratulated the inmate-students on their accomplishments, and commended the relationships among local stakeholders that have enhanced the jail’s education programs.
Finnell spoke about the importance of developing one’s character as a way to ensure one makes sound decisions in life.
He also implored inmate-students to continue to seek empowerment through education, yet cautioned them about the potentially corrupting nature of power.
“Perhaps it is how we use our power that really defines who we are and what character we have,” Finnell said. “The manner in how we use that power is really a window into our character.”