(BOP) - Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen visited the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Englewood, Colorado, on July 2, 2019, focusing on First Step Act related programming opportunities for inmates. The Deputy Attorney General toured general areas of the facility and observed the Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program (RDAP), Non-Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program (NR-DAP), Culinary Arts Vocational Training (VT), Federal Prison Industries (FPI) and the Education department. While touring the institution, Deputy Attorney General Rosen spoke with staff and inmates about the programming opportunities and reentry resources available at FCI Englewood. The Deputy Attorney General also met with the National Inmate Roofing and Paving program crew. This program, based at FCI Englewood but operating nationwide, gives inmates the opportunity to obtain their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), train in the operation and maintenance of heavy equipment, become proficient in safety, basic construction, and mechanical skills, to acquire job experience in these industry areas.
Skilled job-related training, certificates and licenses, such as the Culinary Arts VT, FPI, and the National Roofing and Paving Program are types of programs envisioned under the First Step Act. The First Step Act also encourages local volunteer and community partnerships to provide additional services, such as the FCI Englewood partnership with the Arapahoe Community College to provide an Associates of Arts Degree with an emphasis in Business. The DAG also toured the institution's Reentry Resource Center which furthers reentry efforts by providing informative assistance to inmates via seminars, bulletin boards, pamphlets and release preparation programs. Information on national programs such as those offered by the Social Security Administration, Department of Veteran Affairs, and Department of Social Services are also provided by the Center.
Acting Director Hugh J. Hurwitz thanked the Deputy Attorney General for visiting and allowing the Bureau of Prisons to highlight a variety of the programming opportunities available to federal inmates as part of the First Step Act, and said, "Providing individuals with real-life employment skills, a better appreciation for the importance of developing responsible work habits, and education will help to decrease recidivism."