'Learn from yesterday': Inmates at Polk Correctional Institution receive diplomas, certifications

When Teshea Hamilton is released from the Polk Correctional Institution later this year, he won't be walking out empty handed.

Hamilton, 39, was among the 42 inmates housed at the facility to participate in a program that provided opportunities to earn high school diplomas, heavy equipment operations and vocational certifications from Polk State College.

“Trucking is logistics and that’s one of the areas I learned at Polk State College," said Hamilton, who graduated from the program on May 13. "So, I’m going to go further in logistics and start my own business as a logistics and transportation company."

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Stephen Tkalec, an instructor with Polk State College, says he shows up to teach in an effort to save at least one inmate from returning to the prison system.

“I got to this stage in life and I finally found what I enjoy doing because these guys really don’t have a lot," said Tkalec. "It’s a crazy old saying but if you save one of these guys from coming back it really is worth it.”

Acting Warden Leslee Pippin commended the inmates for their commitment to bettering their life for themselves, their families and their communities.

“I want to congratulate you. You guys have taken probably what was one of the worst situations in your life, coming to prison, and turning it into something positive," she said. "And for that you are to be commended.”

Ray Childs, education supervisor at Polk Correctional Institution, has been with the department of corrections since 2007 serving in various capacities.  He says graduation is an enjoyable day to see the “culmination of understanding how each department played a critical role in seeing it come together.”

In explaining the success of the program, Childs said the facility's classification department had to make sure they had the right inmates who fit the profile to be placed in the right programs. He added that the education department ensured the actual instruction was taking place and that security made certain the inmates were present and accounted for.

"This is the result of everyone working together,” he said.

Alaster Camacho, 24, graduated from the GED program. He tearfully thanked his family for their support and spoke to the other graduates.

“I realized that no matter what people say, what the courts may say or what the state may think, nobody is in control of my future but me,” Camacho said. “Let your past influence you to be better, don’t let your past control you. Be better and let it go. Learn from yesterday and don’t live in it.”

Florida Hires and iBuild Central Florida saw 17 graduates receive their heavy equipment operator's certification. The program requires 350 hours to complete and includes OSSHA 10, first aid and CPR certifications. The graduates are also registered on the National Center for Construction Education and Research website so future employers can verify their employability.

“Our industry is desperately in need of all of you,” iBuild founder Debbie Rodriguez told the graduates. “We have multiple apprenticeship programs that we can put you through to continue to foster that education to make you better in our industry.”

Rodgriguez said the success stories of past graduates getting jobs keeps the program growing.

“If you guys weren’t doing such an amazing job of getting out of here (prison) and being able to pursue careers in the industry we wouldn’t continue doing what we are doing,” she said.

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Jonathan Beasley, 43, is a repeat offender and believes programs like iBuild will help lower the recidivism rate by giving people the tools and confidence to get a job.

“When I was young, they didn’t give short timers classes - they gave the long timers classes,” Beasley said. “But now that they’re starting to educate everybody, especially the people going home, it can be something where you just got your education and you just got out and you can put it to use right away."

Childs is proud of the changes the department has made in efforts to lower the recidivism rate.

“There has always been a focus on recidivism since I started but I am seeing more investment into this," he said. "So, it's not just good enough that an inmate enrolls into a program or completes a program, but that the program completion actually connects to some form of employment.”

Whatever someone's circumstances, Hamilton hopes his story will inspire others to achieve their goals.

“No matter what environment you’re in, no matter how much negativity is around you, no matter what people think of you, or the stigma they put on you, you don’t have to live by that," he said. "You make your own choices and pave your own way.”

Breanna A. Rittman writes news features for The Ledger. Send your feature ideas to BRittman@gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk Correctional Institution inmates receive diplomas, certifications