Inmates Graduate from Job-Skills Training Classes

A total of 13 inmates at the Lexington County Detention Center graduated Tuesday from job-skills training classes.

Seven of the inmates successfully completed a six-week culinary arts training class while being housed at the detention center, according to a press release from the sheriff's department.

They were: Clayton Middlebrook, Blaine Merritt, Ryan Stevens, Michael Reed, Randall Williams, Edward Collins and Robert Hatten.

Trinity Services Group, Inc., which contracts with Lexington County government to provide meals for inmates at the detention center, conducted the culinary arts training class.

The goal of the culinary arts training class is to educate inmates in order to provide them with food preparation skills that they can use to find jobs in the food service industry after they are released from the detention center.

Inmates who participated in the culinary arts training class met daily for 30 minutes with Eva Barnett, who supervises food service at the detention center, Metts said. Barnett provided inmates with hands-on instruction concerning cleaning and sanitation, food safety, preparation of cold food and hot food, portion control, food inventory and food ordering.

The six other inmates successfully completed WorkKeys, a job-skills assessment program administered by ACT. 

They were: Bernard Burgess, Edmond Levy, Titus Quaye, Crystal Bude, Gwenn Vandalen and Vanessa Deputy.

Adult education teachers conducted the job-skills assessment program at the detention center in partnership with Lexington County School District Two and Lexington County School District Four.

The job-skills assessment program was conducted at no cost to the sheriff’s department. 

The program enables inmates to demonstrate to prospective employers that they have the necessary skills to perform particular jobs. The program also provides inmates with information about jobs that would best fit their skills.

Inmates who complete the job-skills assessment program also learn about
additional training and skill development that they should undertake in order to enhance their opportunities to obtain full-time employment after they are released from jail.

A ceremony for all 13 inmates was held Tuesday in the courtroom at the James R. Metts Law Enforcement Complex.

Submitted by the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.