(December 18, 2023)

Today MATC and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) hosted a graduation ceremony for 10 men who recently completed their welding training through the Second Chance program.

The program provides federal aid to students in state and federal prisons so they can receive post-secondary education and technical training while in the custody of the DOC. All of the men are completing their state prison sentences in Milwaukee, at either Marshall Sherrer Correctional Center or Felmers Chaney Correctional Center. Both facilities are part of the minimum-security Wisconsin Correctional Center System. Through a unique partnership with MATC, the Wisconsin DOC offers this opportunity for the graduates to receive their instruction on the MATC campus.

The men completed 17 credit hours to earn their Welding Fundamentals certification through MATC ahead of their return to the community. Recent research has shown that people who participate in educational programs while in prison have a 43% lower chance of ending up back in prison than those who do not. MATC was the first Wisconsin college to participate in the Second Chance program.

(This text was written by MATC’s Marketing & Communications Department. MATC Times staff members are taking a much-deserved rest after their class finals and spending time with family and friends.)