A groundbreaking partnership between Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office aims to change the future for local inmates by equipping them with trade skills for employment after release. The historic agreement, signed on Nov. 4, will bring P&HCC instructors into the Henry County Adult Detention Center to teach inmates trades, starting with industrial electrical training.
The initial 15-week industrial electrical course is scheduled to begin in 2025, with classes taking place on Saturdays. P&HCC President Dr. Greg Hodges expressed excitement about the initiative, emphasizing its potential to reshape lives and strengthen the community’s workforce.
“The economic renaissance of this community is very, very real,” Hodges said. He pointed out the abundance of “good-paying jobs” in the area and a need for more skilled workers. “They get a skill, they get a credential, they become employable and get what we call the ‘J-O-B degree,’” he said, stressing the transformative impact of job training on formerly incarcerated individuals.
Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis echoed this optimism. “We’re thankful for this opportunity,” he said. Both Davis and Hodges hope the program will reduce recidivism by giving inmates a chance at stable employment, which can provide a meaningful path forward. “This is a new frontier in trying to reduce repeat offenses,” Davis added.
The sheriff’s office is currently polling inmates to gauge interest in the program, while also assessing security needs to determine which participants are suitable. “We absolutely have to take security risks into consideration for our facility, as well as for the staff at Patrick & Henry,” Davis said. P&HCC has entrusted the inmate selection process entirely to the sheriff’s department.
The program places Henry County at the forefront of a small but growing trend in Virginia. “This is relatively new,” Hodges said, noting that P&HCC will be only the fifth college in the state to launch a program like this. With local demand for skilled labor outpacing supply, the program is expected to benefit both the graduates and the broader workforce.
“These certificates will help inmates get fantastic-paying jobs,” Hodges said, adding that the program’s emphasis on career pathways aligns with local industry needs. As the program grows, P&HCC plans to introduce additional trades, offering more inmates a “path to financial freedom,” Hodges explained. “Hope is a very powerful word,” he added, stressing the importance of giving inmates a chance to envision a positive future.
Inmates will not bear any cost for the training; funding will come primarily from state allocations, with additional support from college resources. The first graduates are expected in late spring 2025.
