Getting ready to work

LaGRANGE – The Troup County Board of Commissioners discussed a grant from the department of corrections that would make it possible to provide workforce training to inmates – and increase those inmates’ chances to reenter the work force – during its regular work session on Friday.

The grant would provide funding for a program that would make it possible for inmates to get GEDs and pursue certification as a trained barber or welder with the help of instructors from West Georgia Technical College.

“They’ll actually get a certification from West Georgia Tech, and this is a grant from the Department of Corrections, so there is no match (funding needed),” said Dexter Wells. “… If they cut the money off, we’ll discontinue the program.”

Many of the inmates in the program use similar skill sets in already existing programs with the prison, but officials hope that by receiving official classes and certification, they will be better able to reintegrate into the workforce after their release.

“They already cut hair in the prisons, but this will actually make them certified barbers when they get out and help them get a job,” said Wells. “… Troup County is more active than any other prison in Georgia in acquiring this, so they’ve done a good job, and I hope it works out.”

The classes offered would depend on what West Georgia Tech and the prison could work out logistically as far as what courses and professors could come to the prisons for training since inmates would not be going outside for the training. The program may even look into other training areas in the future if it can secure the space, materials and teachers to do so.

“We’ve had several comments (during) the last couple weeks about a lack of people in the construction business – framers and things of that nature – and I’m not sure if we have any input, but something of that nature might not be bad,” said Commission Chairman Patrick Crews during the work session.

If approved, the program would come at no cost to the county, and it would be totally funded by the department of corrections grant, making it budget neutral and community positive.

“These (grants) do not require any kind of a match (financially),” said Finance Officer Buddy Cashwell. “They are through the department of corrections, and so we would be looking to raise our revenue and our expenditures by $100,000.”

If the grant is not renewed in the future, the program would likely be discontinued.

The Troup County Board of Commission plans to vote on whether to approve the grant for the program as well as amendments to the Tax Allocation District that have already been approved by the city of LaGrange at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday at 9 a.m. at 100 Ridley Ave.

 

Reach Alicia B. Hill at alicia.hill@lagrangenews.com or at 706-884-7311, Ext. 2154.

News

Woman Crashes into LaGrange College

News

Troup County Sheriff’s Office incident reports for period ending Dec. 7

News

Troup County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Reports for period ending Dec. 7

News

Toys for Tots wrapping up this week, so donate now

News

Callaway Elementary’s teacher of the year talks passion for animals, 14 years as an educator

News

Deputies say other motorist’s safety, not shoplifting led to fatal PIT maneuver

News

More than $100K missing from Troup County State Court speeding funds, LPD investigating

News

Troup employees recognized for 170 total years of service

News

THINC’s MeLissa Hicks cares for students beyond the classroom

News

County moving forward with Hamilton Road annexation

News

One dead, two others hurt after leading police on high-speed chase following alleged shoplifting

News

Nutwood Winery to open downtown location on Thursday

News

UPDATED: Two killed in West Point shooting identified

News

Two from Troup County arrested as part of multi-county, joint drug task force investigation

News

Two killed in West Point shooting

News

From LHS to the SEC Championship: Former Grangers to represent hometown in halftime performances

News

Preliminary report shows log truck at fault in school bus crash

News

Theta Zi Zeta Chaper hosting Christmas party

News

West Point opts out of 3M, Dupont lawsuit

News

West Point approves city budget

News

It’s Open! Ribbon cutting held for county’s new Oakfuskee Conservation Center

News

Tutoring and mentoring program AGCAO continues to help kids in need

News

PHOTOS: Hundreds of photos from the LaGrange Christmas Parade

News

‘The logs were bouncing everywhere:’ Victim describes what she saw in bus-log truck accident