(CARLISLE) – Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) Purposeful Living Unit Serve (PLUS) offenders have been hard at work making masks since the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Now requests have come from local schools in Shakamak, Dugger, and Sullivan asking if WVCF could provide masks for students over the course of the current school year.
This was a request, offenders and staff alike were honored to accept. Work began nearly immediately as offenders who participate in the PLUS program produced 2,000 masks prior to the first day of classes.
“To say I’m proud of the work done by the offenders to make such a large number of masks is such a short period of time would be an understatement.” said Warden Frank Vanihel. “Being a productive part of society means learning to rise to the unexpected challenges and opportunities that can appear at any time.”
PLUS is a faith and character-based re-entry initiative. Purposeful Living Units Serve offers participants alternatives for rehabilitation. Whether participants choose to learn from character-based materials or faith-based materials, the living units are geared towards teaching core fundamental values that challenge and focus on positive reinforcement through learned behavior. The emphasis of this voluntary initiative focuses on strengthening spiritual, moral, and character development as well as life-skills. This is the basis towards re-entry into the community. For more information visit this PLUS link on the IDOC website.
PLUS offenders could not give back to the community without the fabric donations received on a regular basis. To donate, please contact Community Service Director Jackie Storm at dstorm@idoc.in.gov or 812-398-5050, Extension 3117.
