CIW women take to carpentry - By Shelli DeRobertis, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, CA
CHINO - There was no lockdown on clapping, cheering and dancing Thursday at California Institution for Women.
More than 100 people gathered for an outdoor ceremony as officials named 13 women inmates the first graduates in the nation of the Pre-apprenticeship Carpentry Program for Women administered by the Prison Industry Authority.
"We're going to go out there and shine this light positive for CIW," said Sherral Clayton, program graduate.
The program is modeled after a successful pilot carpentry program for male inmates at Folsom State Prison. In January, PIA brought the program to CIW.
Since then, a rotating class of 30 women has been learning the trade at CIW.
Once paroled, the graduates will receive job placement aid in the construction industry, and PIA will provide them with tools.