Madison Reporter

Madison College has been offering educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals, enabling them to gain valuable skills and improve their prospects upon release. Robert Zapata, a 60-year-old student, is one of the participants who enrolled in Madison College while serving his sentence. Having previously worked at great heights on cell phone towers, Zapata sought a career change that would keep him grounded. "I had to figure out another career where I could keep my feet on the ground," he explained.

Zapata was among six residents from Thompson and Oregon Correctional Centers who graduated with diplomas during a ceremony at Madison College's Truax campus on December 17. He addressed his fellow graduates by saying, "May you continue to learn, grow, and positively impact the world, knowing that you have the power to shape your destiny."

The program provides training in Electrical Maintenance and Basic Industrial Power through a partnership involving Madison College, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC), and the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin (WDBSCW). Madison College handles education delivery while DOC covers instruction costs. The WDBSCW assists graduates in finding employment.

Seth Lentz, Executive Director for WDBSCW, stated, "We are proud to collaborate with Madison College and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to provide these individuals with valuable skills and education." He highlighted Robert Zapata's journey as an example of resilience and education's transformative power.

Since its inception in 2021, the partnership has resulted in 106 graduates from Electrical Maintenance programs. Students commute from local correctional centers to attend classes at Madison College's Truax campus. At Oakhill Correctional Institution, which has higher security restrictions preventing residents from leaving for education purposes, an old tornado shelter was converted into an instructional space.

Kevin Grahn from Madison College Center for Reentry Education emphasized how such programs help reduce recidivism by providing employment opportunities post-release. He noted that securing a livable wage job allows former inmates to meet basic needs like housing and food.

Paul Harrison, a program instructor at Madison College, pointed out that many students secure jobs even before their release due to high demand for industrial maintenance workers. According to Harrison: "It's a hands-on job that allows people to get hired more easily than in computer skills industries."

A RAND study showed significant cost savings through reduced reincarceration when investing in high-quality post-secondary education for justice-involved students.

Madison College was selected by the Department of Education as a Second Chance Pell college in 2020—allowing incarcerated students access federal Pell Grants covering tuition fees across eight DOC institutions statewide.

Harrison praised his students' dedication: "These guys have some skills; they push the class and work harder because this is their second chance." He reminds them about knowledge being irreplaceable despite life's uncertainties: “They can take away your job... but they can’t take away your knowledge.”

Zapata looks forward optimistically toward October 2025 when he expects release hoping new qualifications will land him industrial maintenance roles thanks largely due diligence put forth at school under challenging circumstances."I would definitely tell others...to take advantage of these opportunities," advises Zapata adding age should not deter anyone willing enough make such pivotal changes later life stages too!

To learn more about this initiative contact Kevin Grahn via kgrahn@madisoncollege.edu