Richard Hobbs, facilities maintenance instructional coordinator at Blinn College, spent two of the eight weeks teaching and directly working with the inmates. He said the prisoners were engaged, interested in the material and congenial.

“It was fine; everything went really smoothly,” Hobbs said “I had really good cooperation with these students, and wonderful cooperation from the sheriff’s office. It’s a really good pilot program. ... I’m a licensed HVAC [instructor], and I’m passionate about the industry. I love teaching it to people, I love knowing this will help these guys get a foot in the door. It’s something I took a lot of pride in.”

Kirk and BCSO jail administrator Wayne Dicky said the cost of the program was relatively low for the detention center, as the only cost the sheriff’s office incurred was for hourly wages for security officers. They hope to host another eight-week course later this summer. Inmates were selected based on the nonviolent nature of their charges or convictions and the length of their stay in the jail.

The sheriff addressed the inmates directly before they were dismissed with a round of enthusiastic applause.

“That paper [certificate] isn’t going to open every door for you, and there will be temptations and [negative] associations from your past, and your decision will be how best to deal with that. ... with that in mind, it’s all in good hands,” Kirk said. “I know you can do it, because you worked in this environment and did well. And we want to keep helping you.”