The Warren County Jail needs an instructor to get its virtual welding class going, but the inmates would still need to physically weld before getting a certification which could prove challenging.
At the County Corrections Partnership Committee meeting Tuesday night, Sheriff Jackie Matheny Jr. said they are trying to figure out who will teach the virtual welding class at the jail. The roughly $25,000 machines are ready to go as soon as an instructor is found.
“We’ve got the machines here. I think we have like four and they are $25,000-20,000 apiece and all we have to do is set them up and plug them into a 110 outlet. Problem is you have to have an instructor to come and set up a curriculum and we don’t have that,” said Commissioner Randy England.
The inmates would have to log some hours physically welding before getting a certification and they cannot weld at the jail. England says in the future he would like to see the inmates travel to TCAT to actually weld during a time no one else is at the school.
“So they wouldn’t get a certification after finishing the virtual welding program?” asked Commissioner Kasey Owens.
Matheny says it is just a start.
“That is just a start? How long is the welding program?” asked Owens.
“I have no idea,” said England.
“It was lengthy,” said Jail Administrator Kevin York.
“The problem is, Kasey, I don’t know the legalities we have hauling inmates. I don’t know if TDR would allow that sort of thing,” said England.
“That would be the only way we could really do it because they are already set up for that sort of thing and we are not,” said York.
“Now that makes me a little worried about doing the virtual welding. I mean what’s the point exactly?” asked Owens.
“It is basically they get their start and they have that then they will transition to TCAT once they get out,” explained Matheny.
“We don’t really have a choice because we’ve already taken the money,” added York.
“I know y’all know this as well, I just don’t want it to seem like a game,” said Owens. “I’m not trying to be rude, but they could be like ‘oh we get out to go weld virtually. I’ve never seen anything like this it’s so cool’ and then they are not going to do anything after that because they will have to be accepted into the TCAT program. Then you have to look at what if they don’t get out for another six months.”
“This is just my opinion, call it a game or whatever, if we can get inmates to go through that program then they go out to Morrison Industries or Yorozu or go out to someone that welds and I walk in still in my orange jumpsuit from jail, cause that’s all I have on, and say hey I’ve done this class, I guarantee they will get jobs. Because these places are hiring people with zero experience,” said Commissioner Steven Helton.
Matheny says they will know more regarding this program after an upcoming meeting with TCAT.
