Videos

Skills Centers Student Testimonial - Jozie Baugh:
Jozie Baugh says she struggled with anxiety in large groups of people and lacked marketable job skills. But her decision to enroll in a CareerTech Skills Center program means she’ll leave prison with social skills, numerous certifications, and a renewed sense of purpose.

CareerTech Skills Centers - statewide training for second chances:
Did you know CareerTech is an integral part of inmate education through our Skills Centers division? Our communications and marketing team recently received access to three of our 16 Skills Centers sites. This video is a first look into a broader project about the tremendous impact of these programs.

The CareerTech Skills Centers School System is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. Skills Centers specialize in the delivery of career and technology education to inmates under the supervision of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and juveniles under the supervision of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs. The Skills Centers division is also responsible for the state's secondary dropout recovery initiatives.

Muddy Paws - Prisoners Pamper Pooches:
Muddy Paws Grooming gives women who have criminal pasts a second chance to succeed in life outside the prison gates.

Empowerment Through Skills Training:
CareerTech skills centers provide offenders with occupational training that empowers them to find jobs after release and become productive citizens.

Second Chance at Life:
A four-time felon and former inmate turns her life around thanks to skills training she received while behind bars.

Dogs of Lexington:
Inmates train unadoptable dogs for placement with senior citizens, families and facilities like the Norman Veterans Center.

Sinners to Saints:
Oklahoma CareerTech’s Skills Centers offer educational programs designed to keep the prison gate from becoming a revolving door.

Youthful Offender Program:
Lowering our state's recidivism rate is the goal of the youthful offenders program in Oklahoma. Breaking the cycle of crime and punishment while also providing trained workers for high growth and high demand jobs.

Prison Redemption - Life After Incarceration:
For skills center students, finding employment can be challenging but there is help. Skills center staff work closely with WorkForce Oklahoma, local agencies and faith and community-based organizations to secure employment for graduates upon release to the local community.

First Female Electricians to Graduate - Mabel Bassett Skills Center:
Three of the new electricians have life sentences; the other is up for parole in 2012. This educational achievement not only benefits the inmates, but also impacts the state.

Jim E. Hamilton Skills Center:
Oklahoma established the first inmate training facility in the nation in 1971 thanks to a vision of Oklahoma lawmaker Jim E. Hamilton.