Inmates Share Benefits of Trade Unions at Huntingdon

Reentrants leaving state prison often have a difficult time finding employment. If they do, it can be low-paying or not steady work. Trade unions are an option to help reentrants find employment with good wages, health insurance and steady income.

SCI Huntingdon inmates who were members of trade unions prior to incarceration and those who have maintained good standing within the union and are planning on returning to their union job once released have been running an apprentice/trade union seminar to those interested. This program has been running once a month for eight months. Group attendance has between 15 and 25 inmates. They provide information on which trade unions are available. Also, they provide example letters to write to the union halls trying to secure employment upon release. They also provide directions on how to read a tape measure, as this a primary skill for most trades.

Since the program began, many inmates have received letters back from different trade unions either offering them employment or an interview upon their release from SCI Huntingdon.