The goal of education programs throughout the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) is to provide adults in custody the opportunity to earn certificates and degrees in high-demand, high-wage careers to prepare them for reentry. Recognizing the growing skills gap in industry and the demand for skilled workers, the FBOP Reentry Services Division began using First Step Act funds to offer innovative national programs in the growing field of Mechatronics.
Mechatronics, once termed "systems engineering," is an umbrella term for a multidisciplinary field that refers to the skills needed in contemporary, advanced automated manufacturing industry. It focuses on robotics, control systems and electro-mechanical systems.
On January 25, 2024, the Federal Correctional Institution Greenville, Illinois, in partnership with Kaskaskia College, celebrated the first graduation of these programs. Eight students received certifications in Industrial Automation from Kaskaskia College. The Industrial Automation certificate program focuses on automating industrial mechatronics, which combines mechanical and electronic systems. Six students participated in the graduation where the atmosphere of pride and excitement was palpable.
Mandy Hustedde, Supervisor of Education at FCI Greenville, recalled the event saying, "I promise you all, they will NEVER forget this moment! Many expressed their heartfelt gratitude and how when they walked through our prison doors, they didn't even have a GED or HS diploma and now they are college graduates!!! It was by far one of the greatest moments in my career so far!!!"
Lisa Fletcher, graduate, and class speaker offered this: "The first mechatronics class of Greenville FPC would like to thank the BOP for offering us the opportunity to further our education through Kaskaskia College. None of us ever thought we would be graduating from college while incarcerated. Thank you for offering us more opportunities for jobs when we are released and giving us more hope for a successful future. This could be life changing for many of us, preparing us for the next step in this journey."
The FBOP knows these graduates, and the others in the Mechatronics programs, have a bright future ahead. The FBOP's Education Branch looks forward to launching innovative and distinguished programs to create further opportunities for training those within our care. Congratulations Graduates and thanks to all the employees who make this work happen!