Justice-involved individuals often face obstacles when preparing for successful reentry, and one such obstacle is securing a job upon release. This is why learning marketable, in-demand skills and earning industry-recognized certifications (IRC) while incarcerated is important, and CoreCivic is dedicated to providing those in our care with the tools and resources necessary to succeed.

At Crossroads Correctional Center in Shelby, Montana, more than a dozen residents now have one more tool in their toolbox: an IRC in food preparation and safety. Two cohorts recently graduated from the Advanced Skills, Career Education, New Development (ASCEND) program.

ASCEND is operated in partnership with Trinity Services Group, a national leader in correctional food services. Trinity trains participating residents to become certified in different aspects of professional food service. This on-the-job learning includes everything from managing food costs to minimizing waste, determining portion sizes and calculating recipe conversions, to working with thermometers, maintaining food inventory, learning deep-cleaning techniques, and more. Each section of the program takes about three months to complete.

"I'm thankful for this class," one ASCEND graduate at Crossroads shared. "I'm looking to start a food truck when [I'm released] and learning how to use, maintain and clean all of the equipment is going to help me with that for sure."

The ASCEND program is designed to help residents build marketable skills as well as increase their self-esteem. When participants earn certifications, they'll be qualified to apply for jobs in kitchen prep, dish washing, cooking and more upon release.

"I would like to thank you all for investing in yourself," said Crossroads Warden Demetric Godfrey at the program's graduation ceremony in April. "We offer a lot of programs here; we offer a lot of opportunities. It's for you to take advantage of them and have those skills. One thing about it is—no one can take your skills away from you. It's an opportunity to invest in yourself and your future."

CoreCivic offers dozens of programs that confer IRCs at facilities across the country, as well as GEDs, high school equivalency, and college diplomas.