So let me ask you something. When you think on The Last Mile, do you think of executions? In fact, IT support rarely comes to mind. Maybe it should because this last mile is an inspiring one.
This The Last Mile teaches prison inmates to code. It started at California’s infamous San Quentin. It started in 2012. But soon afterwards, it took off to five other prisons. Two of them are women’s prisons. This programs teaches prisoners tech skills, like coding and web design. It also teaches them other entrepreneur skills. So when they get out, they can either get good jobs, or even start their own business.? This program is so successful it’s going elsewhere.
I say this because Indiana Women’s Prison wants to use it. The request came from their governor, Eric J. Holcomb.? Governor Holcomb believes it will transform lives in his state. He also believes it will help out Indiana’s tech and IT service sector. I don’t know about you, but when I think of tech savvy states, Indiana doesn’t come to mind right now. I mean no disrespect by that. It will start in Indiana in April 2018 and with 24 inmates. Hopefully, the interest will expand. It might already be, because be 2023, The Last Mile should expect to 50 prisons.
Not only do I hope,but I hope they expand to more. I say this because tech skills are more important than ever. Furthermore, stats say the majority of prisoners often end up back there before too long. Let’s stop that statistic. Let’s teach more inmates about all things computer repair, whether it’s coding, web design, and business owning.? This way, they can create jobs and open the economy up for other Americans. I hope this takes off like wildfire. Whoever thought in 2018 America that a blue state and red state could agree on anything?