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Inmates take NMC vocational program
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Posted on Dec 21 2000
The Northern Marianas College is reaching out to inmates at the Department Of Corrections’ RSAT Program as part of overall efforts to prepare their reintegration to the community once they complete serving their sentences.
The inmates are attending sessions with instructor Lino Santos under the Vocational Education Training Program of the Northern Marianas College.
Corrections Director Greg Castro, RSAT counselor Gary Hart and NMC Vocational Education Director Dr. Jack Angello joined hands in the development of the program.
“I fully support this opportunity for our young men here in the corrections’ facility to better themselves and their futures. I hope the program continues,” said Mr. Castro.
The program has also received the assistance of the Criminal Justice Planning Agency through the leadership of its administrator Harry Blanco, according to Dr. Angello.
“It’s amazing what some firm support and constructive encouragement can do for a person’s troubled life, and everybody wins in this scenario,” he added.
He pointed out that the program paved the road for the inmates to receive much-needed livelihood education and training. The inmates built book shelves for the business office of the College which resulted in huge savings.
“[T]he community can see their taxpayers’ dollars well-spent in productive and rehabilitative ways,” said Dr. Angello in a media statement.
The NMC Vocational Program’s community outreach projects, with this one focused at providing inmates with livelihood skills and education to allow their easy reintegration to the society, also include instruction sessions given to young people at the Division of Youth Services’ Kagman facility.
Even as local appropriations come in an apparently scarce manner, Dr. Angello said federal funding is helping the program finance several outreach projects.
