Texarkana College has launched a new welding program at the Barry B. Telford Federal Correctional Institute. The program’s first group consists of nine federal inmates working toward a one-year certificate in welding.
The initiative aligns with data from the Department of Education, which shows that enrolling inmates in post-secondary education can reduce their chances of returning to prison by 28%.
Dixon Boyles, Vice President of Instruction at TC, highlighted the college’s pioneering efforts to secure Pell Grant funding for these courses, a process that has been both lengthy and meticulous.
The program at the Telford Unit in Texarkana also aims to offer training in electrical technology, providing inmates with the opportunity to earn a workforce certification or an associate’s degree.
