Adopt-a-School – The Adopt-a-School foundation was officially established in 2002 and it strives to address the inequalities and inadequacies in rural and disadvantaged schools, to ensure positive learning experiences which will lead to greater opportunities. LorCI’s adopt-a-school is Palm Elementary located in Lorain, Ohio. LorCI staff have provided support to Palm Elementary since before 2008. Year after year, staff go above and beyond in participating in various fundraisers; donating school supplies, uniforms, hates, gloves and by making monetary donations to assist the school in providing for the less fortunate students in their school district.
Green Initiatives – Below is a list of the green initiatives that are taking place at Lorain Correctional Institution:
- LorCI has an ongoing recycling initiative in combination with GCI and NeRC that includes plastics, aluminum, metal, paper and pallets. LorCI has an ongoing recycling initiative in combination with GCI and NeRC that include plastics, aluminum, metal, paper, and pallets.
- Low “E” Thermopane windows
- Hi-mast lighting has high efficiency LED lighting
- High efficiency boilers
- High efficiency hot water tanks
- Gasless push mowers
- 3 gallon flush toilets with 1.6 gallon flush kits in living areas throughout the institution
- Push valve timed handles on faucets within offender cells
Additional Academic/Education Services
Computer Aided Instructional Laboratories (CAIL)
This is instructional work in a computer based education program. The teachers in this class advise, instruct and monitor offenders participating in a computerized, programmed focused on educational, social and life skills instruction. The Programs are intended to improve reading, math, social studies, science and writing skills, social and life skills, and prepare offenders for high school diploma equivalency testing. The instructors in this class assess the educational level of offenders, explain computer-access procedures, advise offenders in response to programmed questions and instructions, explain educational materials presented, and provide supplemental material for individual instruction to specific offenders as needed. Motivating and/or encouraging offenders to participate in the program is a significant aspect of the work. Practice GED and GED test are administered in our CAIL Labs.
Correctional Education Association (CEA) Tutor Training
Research shows that participation in education and employment can significantly reduce the risk of re-offending following release from prison. Educational achievement is also important in enabling offenders to fully participate and benefit from other rehabilitative programs.
LORCI is committed to improving the educational outcomes of offenders so they gain the skills needed for everyday life, and are ready for further education and training to develop the skills and experience that employers require.
To achieve this, we offer offenders a range of education, training and support. These includes CEA tutor training which works to identify each offender’s educational needs and goals, and targeting services to address these. Tutors are trained in education needs assessments, learning plans, and access to literacy and numeracy support. Inmates assist the instructional teacher with guiding and monitoring student success. Tutors work with individual and small groups to achieve a greater outcome.
Ohio Reentry Connections
Ohio Benefits Bank - Offenders register for the Ohio Benefits Bank 90 days before their release date. Upon release, they may apply for various benefits including medical assistance, heating assistance, child care benefits, senior help, housing cost assistance, job help, veteran services and many more programs to help navigate successful reentry.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit - The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax incentive program for employers willing hire ex-offenders. We have two computers at Lorain Correctional Institution that are utilized to register offenders for the One Stop Database within 90 days of their release date. Once an offender is registered, he is given a card that must be taken to the One Stop Shop worksite to prove his eligibility to participate in the tax credit program. Also, once released the he may search for job availability at any One Stop Shop with this card.
Special Education Services – These services are available to offenders under the age of 22 that have an identified disability.
Library Services
The mission of the lending/law library is to reasonably address and assist offenders with their legal issues while incarcerated at Lorain Correctional Institution.
Law library services includes access to all legal materials and online (LexisNexis). In addition, the library contains a generous amount of select print version of the online resources available via LexisNexis.
The library provides notary public services five days a week to the offender population.
Law library legal aides offer extensive appellate assistance to offenders interested in challenging courts decisions affecting their lives.
To continue maintaining our professional responsibility to the population, the library will continue to disseminate legal motions to offenders; provide federal, state, county and municipal regulations; conduct public education and outreach; and increase notary public services, per offender demand.
Tutoring Programs
Tutoring services are available to the offender population by trained tutors and community volunteers. The tutor provides individual tutoring to students to improve academic achievement by meeting with them on a regular basis to clarify learning problems and work on study skills. Other assistance might include: reviewing class material, discussing the text, predicting test questions, formulating ideas for papers, or working on solutions to problems.
Counseling Services
Offenders are given an opportunity to discuss their college and career aspirations with a guidance counselor. The counselor can help direct and guide offenders about future employment trends, how to complete a free application for federal student aid, interpretation of testing scores, scholarship and financial assistance, transitional skills and many other pro-social skills.
High School Options
Offenders who have enough time to complete the necessary credits to earn their diploma at their parent institution may participate in the option. They may start the program at LORCI but will most likely complete the program at their parent institution depending on how much time remains on their sentence.
Additional Apprenticeship Programs
Pre-Apprenticeship Program
The Pre-Apprenticeship program is designed to prepare offenders to enter and succeed in Registered Apprenticeship programs. The Pre-Apprenticeship Program helps potential entrants to the apprenticeship system develop their job skills and trade readiness so that they will be prepared to find work as apprentices.
Animal Trainer – In this apprenticeship program offenders learn how to train animals to obey commands, evaluate animal to determine temperament, ability, and aptitude for training. They conduct training programs to develop desired behavior. Offenders must complete 4000 hours (2 years) in this program.
Baker – In this apprenticeship program offenders mix and bake ingredients according to recipes to produce breads, pastries, and other baked goods. Offenders must complete 6000 hours (3 years) in this program.
Carpenter – In this apprenticeship program offenders construct and repair structural woodwork and equipment in establishment, working from blueprints, drawings, or oral instructions. They build, repair, and install counters, cabinets, benches, partitions, floors, doors, building framework, and trim, using carpenter’s hand tools and power tools. They install glass windows, doors and partitions and replace damaged ceiling tiles, floor tile and wall coverings. Offenders must complete 8000 hours (4 years) in this program.
Cook – In this apprenticeship program offenders prepare and cook family-style meals for crews, residents and employees of institutions. They wash dishes. bake breads and pastries and cook meats. They plan menus, takes advantage of food in season and local availability. Offenders must complete 4000 hours (2 years) in this program.
Health Care Sanitary Technician – in this apprenticeship program offenders learn sanitization of hospital wards, rooms, mattresses and bed frames, baths, laboratories, offices and halls. They learn how to reduce the risks of exposure to blood and potentially infectious body fluids while patients are present and after their release. They disinfect equipment and patient care areas, control and remove hazardous waste in a safe manner. This program complies with OSHA rules on blood-borne diseases. Offenders must complete 2000 hours (1 year) in this program.
Heating & Air Conditioning Installer-HVAC – In this apprenticeship program offenders learn how to install, service and repair environmental controls systems, utilizing knowledge of refrigeration theory, pipefitting and structural layout. Offenders must complete 6000 hours (3 years) in this program.
Janitor - In this apprenticeship program offenders perform all facets of housekeeping in any designated area such as commercial, industrial or miscellaneous – classrooms, food services, libraries, gymnasiums. They carefully analyze all janitorial tasks to ensure that proper techniques and equipment are utilized. Offenders must complete 2000 hours (1 year) in this program.
Maintenance Repairer, Building - In this apprenticeship program offenders learn how to repair and maintain physical structures of commercial and industrial establishments using hand tools and power tools. They learn to replace defective electrical switches and other fixtures, paint structures and repair woodwork with carpenter’s tools. Offenders must complete 4000 hours (2 years) in this program.
Material Coordinator - In this apprenticeship program offenders receive and log all incoming freight shipment; verifies freight invoice and purchase order and reports discrepancies to supervisor; they use loading and unloading equipment to store items in the warehouse as desired; stock shelves; fill orders from stock and note when stock need to be reordered; and rotates stock. Offenders must complete 4000 hours (2 years) in this program.
Recovery Operator – In this apprenticeship program offenders collect waste and sort recyclable and compostable materials including, paper, metal, plastic, textiles and organics. They promote recycling and are responsible for sorting waste. They manage the composting process for organic materials. Offenders must complete 2000 hours (1 year) in this program.
Painter – In this apprenticeship program offenders apply coats of paint, varnish, stain, enamel or lacquer to decorate and protect interior or exterior surfaces, trimmings and fixtures of buildings and other structures. They smooth surfaces, using sandpaper brushed or steel wool, remove old paint from surfaces, using paint remover, scraper, wire brush or blowtorch to prepare surfaces for painting. Offenders must complete 6000 hours (3 years) in this program.
Plumber - In this apprenticeship program offenders assemble, install and repair pipes, fittings and fixtures of heating, water and drainage systems, according to specifications of plumbing codes. They study build plans and work with drawing to determine work aides required and sequence of installation. Offenders must complete 8000 hours (4 years) in this program.