An innovative program has been launched inside a Massachusetts prison, where a small group of incarcerated men are learning coding and web design skills through a partnership with Persevere. Founded by Sean Hosman, Persevere aims to train incarcerated individuals to become web developers as a way to help them build self-sustaining lives upon release.
The program, housed at the North Central Correctional Institution in Gardner, is aimed at providing stable employment opportunities for incarcerated individuals after release. The Massachusetts Department of Correction has made a significant investment in the program, providing the men with the necessary resources including laptops and a dedicated workspace.
One of the participants, 23-year-old Alejandro Queiroz Santana, who was convicted of driving a stolen vehicle, initially joined the program as a way to avoid spending all day in his cell block. After three months of learning coding, Santana envisions a future career in the field, possibly working for himself. The program has helped him develop problem-solving skills and build a portfolio, with plans to learn Java next.
Overall, the program is providing a unique opportunity for incarcerated individuals to learn valuable skills that can help them succeed upon release, with participants forming a close-knit community dubbed “the code avengers.”
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