Greg Carlson, Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution’s assistant physical plant manager, talks about the impact of the apprenticeship instructors during his speech Nov. 15, 2023, at the prison in Pendleton. Carlson said the programs would not have the successes they do without the journeymen who teach the apprentices.

PENDLETON — Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution hosted an event highlighting its training programs to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

The event featured speeches from current and former adults in custody as well as EOCI staff and Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries commissioner, Christina Stephenson. Around 40 people gathered in EOCI’s physical plant area — where its apprenticeship hubs are — for the event.

The prison offers five apprenticeship programs: electrical; plumbing; welding; heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician; and boiler operation. Those who complete the program before they are released from prison leave with the same skills and certifications as people who train outside, EOCI leaders said.

National Apprenticeship Week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship website, is an opportunity to “showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship for rebuilding our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, and supporting underserved communities.”

Stephenson said she attended the event because the bureau wanted to highlight a program that was serving underserved populations, and people in prison are, historically, some of the most underserved.

She also said apprenticeship program models have an “enormous” economic impact. During her speech, she emphasized that the state has a need for journeymen.

“We have so many things we want to build,” she said to the crowd. “To me, it’s really personal that nobody is left behind in this state. Thank you for putting your trust in this program and your instructors.”

Later, she said her biggest takeaway from the event is the potential for scalability and opportunity to amplify the impact, so there are more people who can help build the houses, roads and schools that make the economy run.

Sixteen men are participating across EOCI’s five programs, as there are limited certified technicians, or journeymen, to train them, said Greg Carlson, assistant physical plant manager. Ideally, there would be a 1-to-1 ratio between students and instructors, but it’s often 2-to-1 at EOCI, instead.

Carlson repeatedly thanked instructors for imparting their knowledge and skills. He said that the programs would not be possible without their commitment and the way they support the participants and hold them accountable.

“They start out cleaning toilets,” he said. “The instructors are trying to break that instant gratification mindset that a lot of people have when they come in. It’s not easy in here to do what they’re doing.”

One plumbing apprentice, Luis Rodriguez, 31, is about three months into his program. He’s put in nearly 500 hours, he said, and hopes to get his license around six months before his release in February 2029.

“Sometimes we think people aren’t going to accept us out there,” he said. “Seeing how invested everybody is gives me hope for when I get out.”

Rodriguez said plumbing is his opportunity to take care of his parents once he’s released, especially because they are helping to take care of his two children while he’s incarcerated.

By getting his plumbing certification, he said he hopes to set an example for his children.

“I want them to see, even if you mess up in life,” he said, “you can make the best of the situation.”

Rodriguez said he’s already learned about himself in his three months. He’s noticed an increase in self-control, he’s better at time management, he has learned to respect others more and he knows what his priorities are.

“More than anything,” he said, “being in here teaches you the things that you really value.”

Joedy Marlatt, electrical supervisor and physical plant manager 3, said his job is not to push the participants.

“Every one of these guys is driven,” he said. “They know they have an opportunity to do well after release.”

Jason Matthews got out of EOCI in 2021 and attended the event virtually.

“What I want to say is just how phenomenal of an opportunity going through this apprenticeship program was,” he said.

He added he earned more than he ever thought he would, and he’s gotten great opportunities on the outside.

Not everyone is willing to give a chance to people who have been in prison, but one small-business owner based in Tualatin seeks out people from the program.

Brian Butterfield, co-owner of Green Ridge Solar, said he can tell the foundations of people who go through EOCI’s electrical apprenticeship program are strong. He has two former adults in custody on his staff of about 40 people, with a third starting in December.

“For me, the experience I’ve had is the work ethic and base foundations come top notch,” Butterfield said. “The guys want to work hard and put in extra effort.”

EOCI Superintendent Dave Pedro said the apprenticeship programs make a real difference.

“We don’t get many opportunities for success around here, and this is one of them,” he said after the event. “The vast majority of guys in here are good people who made poor decisions.”

Carlson, the assistant plant manager, said during a tour of the facilities after the event that EOCI offers training outside of apprenticeship programs too. There’s a carpentry shop, a creative arts studio, a clothes manufacturing facility, an auto shop, and beekeeping, gardening and baking programs that adults in custody can opt into to develop their skills.

The Oregon Department of Corrections is working to start a sixth apprenticeship program at the Pendleton prison, either in cabinetry or carpentry, Carlson said.

“Every opportunity we can find to give these guys a skill,” he said, “we try to do.”