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Vocational Village

Photo of a woman and man discussing a computer program

Vocational Village

Photo of a prisoner working on the engine of a car.

Building a Foundation for the Future

The Vocational Village is a first-of-its-kind skilled trades training program that aims to provide a positive learning community for prisoners who are serious about completing career and technical education.
The first Vocational Village site opened in 2016 at Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility, a level II, medium security prison in Ionia.  A second site was launched in 2017 at Parnall Correctional Facility, a level I prison in Jackson. The third Vocational Village opened at the state's only prison for women in 2021 at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti.

When operating at full capacity, the Vocational Village at Handlon Correctional Facility has 165 vocational trade students, 27 vocational trade tutors and 12 building trade workers. The Vocational Village site at Parnall Correctional Facility has the capacity for 240 vocational trade students and 32 trade tutors.

Prisoners participating in Vocational Village programming are housed together one unit that acts as a therapeutic learning environment that supports their success.

By housing prisoners together who share a common goal of improving their lives through education, a positive and productive environment has been created. Housing the prisoners together offers many advantages such as the opportunity to discuss educational topics during non-class time, eating together and attending other programs and leisure time activities.

Prisoners have full days of training and classroom instruction intended to mimic a typical workday outside prison walls, and will receive state and nationally-recognized certifications in their trade.

Vocational Trades

Prisoner smoothing concrete
Building Trades: Masonry and Concrete
Photo of a prisoner in the truck simulator practicing.
Commercial Driver License and Forklift Operation
Photo of a prisoner working on the engine of a car.
Automotive Technology
Photo of a prisoner working on a cabinet.
Building Trades: Carpentry
Photo of a prisoner running electrical cable.
Building Trades: Electrical
Image of a prisoner repairing the plumbing on a sink.
Building Trades: Plumbing
Photo of a prisoner sitting in front of a computer.
Computer Coding
Photo of a prisoner standing in front of the control board for a CNC machine.
Computer Numerical Control Machine Tool and Robotics
Photo of prisoners using welding equipment.
Welding
Image of prisoners in the tree trimming program
Line Clearance and Tree Trim Program
Image of female prisoner working with food in a mixing bowl
Food Technology
Image of WHV's cosmetology classroom
Cosmetology
Image of 3D printers
3D Printing
Image of a female prisoner trimming weeds
Horticulture
Image of two prisoners meeting with an employer
For Employers
Photo of a little girl on her father's shoulders
For Families

Featured Videos

The Vocational Village is a first-of-its-kind program at Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility and Parnall Correctional Facility that aims to give prisoners intensive, hands-on job training experience to prepare them for high-demand careers.

Employer Testimonials

Skilled Trades Program

Vocational Village Media Coverage

Additional Coverage on the Vocational Village 

Prisoners gain opportunity in growth industry: tree trimming - The Detroit News

New program trains Michigan inmates for tree-trimming after prison - Detroit Free Press

From convicts to carpentering and construction, program helps train ex-inmates for work - Fox 2

Michigan's Vocational Village - America Working Forward

Former Inmates Are Getting Jobs As Employers Ignore Stigma In Bright Economy - NPR

Department of Corrections breaks ground on newest Vocational Village – Michigan Radio 

Michigan Department of Corrections breaks ground on first Vocational Village site for women – WLNS

Rick Snyder, MDOC break ground on prison training site for women – MLive

Michigan inmates get job training in 'vocational village' – CBS Detroit

Vocational Village skilled trades training to be offered at second state prison – Crain’s Detroit Business

Additional Coverage on the Vocational Village

Vocational Village Named Newsmaker Finalist for 2016

The Vocational Village, an innovative and first-of-its-kind program in the nation, was announced as a Newsmaker Finalist for 2016 by the Grand Rapids Business Journal.

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Updated: 04/22/22