The Construction Technology trade at San Quentin State Prison is reaching new heights in providing training for inmates.
“We’re into the green technology now,” said Dante Callegari, instructor for the course. “We’re just starting the training now, but the equipment has been here for six months. This new training will add another year to our program.”
Callegari’s students are using new Lab-Volt Systems, Inc. smart training modules to learn how to install solar and wind energy systems, solar thermal energy systems, refrigeration, fire alarms, heating ventilation and air conditioning systems using smart technology.
According to Lab-Volt reading material, the present-day global ‘green’ initiative is the impetus for many countries to develop reusable energy. “By 2025 solar energy could generate 2.5 percent of the world’s electricity.”
Through the use of WiFi, Callegari explained how homeowners can control their home systems from anywhere in the world.
“This is an added bonus to our program,” said Callegari. “We’re going to have them show what they’ve learned.”
One of the lessons is on weatherization technology and how “Much of the energy used to heat and cool homes in the United States is wasted,” according to a student training guide.
Callegari said the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) sent him to Sacramento for four days of training on Lab-Volt equipment. “I went to their training facility to learn what to train students on,” said Callegari.
The class is generally referred to as building maintenance, which some say is misleading. Inmates tend to think of it as a janitorial course when it’s actually construction technology training.
“The Lab-Volt Solar/Wind Energy Training System is a modular program that covers the history, fundamentals, installation, operation, maintenance, and servicing of alternative energy systems” according to its literature.
Duane Holt, one of 27 students in the class, demonstrated his working knowledge of home solar and wind electrical systems using a Lab-Volt smart module. He also has to do trouble-shooting on a panel to learn how to isolate problems.
“You have to understand theory and schematics,” said Holt. “The key is to get to where you’re not using energy” from the public power grid.
TedrickSims has been in the program for more than a year. Since starting the course, he says he has learned building framing from the basement up to the rafters, electrical wiring, gas lines, plumbing, sinks, water-tight roofing, geo thermal for heat, electrical windmills, and solar power.
“It’s an excellent program, and he (Dante) is an excellent teacher,” said Sims. “For younger people who will be working for the next 30 years, they should take the class. Even if they don’t want to work in the trade they should take the class if they plan to own a home.”
Sims said parolees are getting hired immediately and employers have called the prison to ask if there are other parolees who have graduated from the trade. So far 13 students have graduated and six of the graduates have agreed to return as teaching assistants.
“I think it’s important that I have six guys coming back and wanting to help train,” said Callegari. He said it makes it easier for him to train students who have not yet advanced.
According to Sean Luigs from Elite Supply Source, every CDCR instructor has a trade adviser; he is the adviser assigned to Callegari’s class. “I’ve been in all the prisons. They all operate different. The craziest (busiest) prison that I’ve been to is Corcoran.” He said it is because everyone is running around doing something productive in the shops. “San Quentin is my favorite.”
In addition to the hands-on training modules, students study material furnished by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). The books divide various aspects of construction technology into modules, focusing on everything from the introduction to craft skills, safety, masonry, roofing, and pipe fitting.
The “NCCER is a not-for-profit 501 (c )(3) education foundation established in 1995 by the world’s largest and most progressive construction companies and national construction associations,” according to the Contren Learning Series (CLS) books. The curriculum was adopted by the CDCR about a decade ago.
The NCCER provides transcript records through a National Registry that it maintains. It also provides certificates and wallet cards to those who have completed modules in the CLS.
“This class is lucky to have Dante,” said Luigs. “It’s more than his knowledge; it’s his wisdom.”
Luigs also takes part in training the students. He used a PowerPoint presentation to instruct them on how to use the new technology. “I think it gives them (inmates) inspiration.”
Before prison, inmate Marco Villa, who has been in the class for more than a year, worked framing construction, but at San Quentin he said he has acquired knowledge of the entire construction process.
“We build everything from the ground up,” said Villa. He said he has learned about foundations, concrete, rebar, trenches, plumbing, setting blocks, floors, walls and roofs. “He’s been a great help,” referring to Luigs.
“In this new era, the green environment is an important consideration,” an NCCER training guide says. “As a construction craft worker, you must understand how your daily activities at work and at home affect the green environment.”
Callegari has been employee with the CDCR for 28 years, working at various jobs. Previously he has taught at California State Prison-Solano and the California Correctional Center. He has two credentials granted by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing as well as OSHA training.