Vocational Training
Six vocational programs offer prisoners the chance to learn or
improve marketable job skills:
Building Trades consists of practical experience in construction
projects for the institution and sometimes in the local community.
It usually covers rough framing, roofing and siding, drywall, interior
and exterior finish work.
Culinary Arts trainees may graduate as Assistant Cook or
Cook II depending on how well they do in the program. The course
covers all phases of food preparation, including extensive training
in the bake shop. Graduates have landed good jobs in restaurants
and institutions.
Auto Body Repair provides experience in all aspects of
body repair and refinishing; each trainee will spray-paint at least
one entire vehicle before graduation. The instructor offers a session
on custom work for students who have done especially well in the
regular program.
Auto Mechanics focuses on engine work, from tune-ups to
overhauls, and maintenance work including alignment. Modern equipment
includes an electronic analyzer and an all-wheel alignment machine.
Plumbing and Heating trainees are licensed as helpers so
that their hours in the program will count toward journeyman license
requirements. Practical experience includes heating and plumbing
system maintenance and repair as well as new installations.
Electrical Trades trainees are licensed as helpers and
may take the journeyman exam after successful completion of the
program. Theory and code are studied in the classroom. Since the
course takes 12 months, openings are limited and only prisoners
with a strong interest in an electrical career are encouraged to
enroll.
Each program except electrical takes six months to complete. Each
combines classroom study and hands-on work, and is taught by a
certified instructor who is a professional in his field. Prior
experience is not required.
As an established goal, BCF staff, in coordination with local
employers, attempt to transition prisoners from their respective
vocational schools to local work release.
The facility’s Community Programs Coordinator works with
the Vocational Trades Instructors to try to find placements for
those prisoners that graduate with distinction. The hope is that
at least a percentage of those placed will continue their employment
upon release.
Industries
The Bolduc Correctional Facility currently has three major industrial
programs.
Wood Products Program
The BCF wood products program is an extension of the MSP wood
products program consisting of the manufacturing of wooden novelties
which are sold at the Maine State Prison Showroom.
Prisoners provide
the basic woodworking skills and in return receive a small hourly
wage. In 2006 the program produced 21,055 novelties. The BCF
wood working program normally employs 15 workers.
Farm Program
From a small one acre plot in 1980 to nearly 100 acres of crops
under cultivation, the Bolduc Correctional Farm Program has developed
into a major supplier of produce for the DOC facilities. We are
currently using approximately 90 acres, 40 acres for beans and
potatoes, and 50 acres for hay and cattle grazing.
The farm operation is a major
contributor and cost savings program to the Department of Corrections. Our
current three year agricultural plan is proceeding as expected
and by the end of the growing season, we should have three major
crops in rotation, i.e., potatoes, dried beans and hay. These
crops effectively complement
each other and provide for healthier soils.
This past year also witnessed the construction of a new ninety
foot greenhouse. The ultimate goal will be the construction
of a third unit and the implementation of a year-round vegetable
program. In addition, flowers could be grown to enhance the
appearance of State buildings in all areas.
The livestock (beef) program has been reduced to only a dozen
head, but will be sufficient to support our Culinary Arts
Program.
A significant addition to the farm program this year was the drilling
of a well that has the capacity of replenishing our water storage
ponds. This new function in conjunction with our irrigation
system should be able to provide the necessary water to our crops
and enhance productions.
Plate Shop
The Bolduc Correctional Facility operates the state of Maine
license plate program in conjunction with the Secretary
of State's office. In a non-new issue year we employ six prisoners
on a regular basis.
For the year 2006 we employed a total of 25 prisoners for
11,900 hours.
We made and shipped 667,000 license plates.
