Clarke County Jail inmates find freedom in construction work

It’s all about second chances and opportunities. This is a collaborative effort of the Clarke County Sheriff's Office and Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, and it's a great start to changing the direction of lives.

The inaugural class of the Future Foundations Prison Resident Building Program graduated Tuesday, June 4, at the Clarke County Jail in Athens. The day celebrated four women, Brittany Blevins, Selina Watts, Angela Nichole Mosley and Shelby Hammock, who made up the program's first class.

Make the difference

The mission of this program is threefold: to teach practical job skills training, reduce recidivism, and build affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity.

“Women are selected on certain criteria. They must have a record of compliance at the jail, cannot be convicted of violence, and must be motivated and incentivized to work,” says Keith Sims, Clarke County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer.

Spencer Frye, State Representative for District 122, is the executive director of Athens Area Habitat for Humanity. He is also one of the founders of Future Foundations. After months of consideration, Frye and Clarke County Sheriff John Q. Williams, Chief Deputy and Jail Commander Frank Woods, and other staff created the program.

“We often discuss among our staff and community relations issues that need to be addressed. When we got the right group of people in a room, we designed a plan to provide training and certification right on the jail grounds,” says Sheriff Williams. “Then the idea was to build these housing modules on site and assemble them elsewhere. Ideas quickly piled up on where to place the finished houses and how to use them. We knew right away, when the positive energy and enthusiasm reached such a level, that we had found something that would make a difference.

Community investment

Frye says the Future Foundations program is an investment in the entire community.

“The most effective way to reduce recidivism is to provide education and job training to inmates who have the desire to change their lives,” says Rep. Frye. “This not only means better lives for ex-offenders and their families, but also savings for taxpayers and safer, more prosperous communities. »

Sims' husband, Jonathan Sims, has worked in construction for over thirty years and volunteers to teach participants once a week. Program participants take written exams and have work days every two weeks. Saturdays for those who choose to participate in the program involve building and learning.

“They start learning the basic tools and progress to steps and rafters,” says Keith Sims. She explained that the key to the program is “the will of the participant.” The four women who made up the first class met all expectations and more, Sims says.

“They scored 90 or above on their exams and went above and beyond what was required for construction apprenticeships.”

“Just people… building together”

Future Foundations graduate Nicole Mosley spoke at the graduation ceremony. His words spoke volumes about the importance of the program.

“It is only in this context that we have no longer been detained and surveillance is no longer a priority. We were just people working, laughing and building together. When I talk about building, my meaning is deeper than you think,” Mosley said.

In his speech, Mosley thanked Sims, Rep. Frye, Sheriff Williams, Chief Woods and many others for dedicating their time and days off to teaching them about construction and for believing in them.

“Today is a day for forward momentum. We ask for your continued support and that you join us and share our vision for growth and improvement,” she said.

Keith Sims says it was an emotional day. There are now five additional women in the program and a waiting list.

“Seeing their passion and pride in what they learned and accomplished moved me,” she says. “Their example of determination and hard work will make this program thrive.” »