Eleven inmates from Rutherford County Adult Detention Center graduated recently from the two-month electrical wiring class taught by the Tennessee College on Applied Technology.

This is the second higher education class offered by TCAT (formerly Tennessee Technology Center ) at the detention center. Six inmates graduated in April from the Beginning Fundamental Electrical class. The class is paid by the inmates’ families.

Sheriff Robert Arnold said higher education classes follow his philosophy of “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for life.”

This class was successful because it teaches inmates a skill to provide for themselves and their families, the sheriff said.

“Hopefully, this will stop the revolving door and get you out of the revolving door,” Sheriff Arnold said and thanked the families for their support.

Word and Excel will be the next classes offered in September.

TCAT instructor David Lewis said the inmates tried to turn their lives around.

“They put their heart into their work,” Lewis said.

Program Lt. Chris Deal said classes offered in the detention center try to reduce recidivism.

“Anything we can do to benefit inmates will get people on the right track,” Lt. Deal said.

TCAT Director Dr. Lynn Kreider said it was nice to see students succeed in both classes. He thanked Lewis and his wife, Jenetta, who helped obtain less costly textbooks for the students.

Source: