For more than a decade, Eric O'Rourke has taught inmates at SCI Forest the basics of masonry.
And amazingly he's used pretty much the same set of supplies the entire time.
"I don't use cement," O'Rourke said. "It's a clay and sand mixture, so when we tear it down, we clean it up and reuse everything in the next class."
O'Rourke started working in maintenance at Forest three years before the facility opened. He became a carpentry trade instructor for two years before teaching masonry for the past 12.
The program is a six-month course of masonry level 1, and inmates who pass end up with a certification for core and masonry level 1 through National Center for Construction Education and Research. Although the program is basic, O'Rourke also teaches them advanced stuff for fun and even greater experience.
"Fairly quickly they start laying brick and block," he said. "We concentrate on that. There are a few basic projects they must do, but they can get through my books and program in a four-month timeframe. That leaves a few months for advanced stuff, like fireplaces or brick and block structures. For the most part there's some pretty cool projects."
Working maintenance was "just a job," whereas teaching the inmates is something more. O'Rourke has found the react differently to a teacher than a boss.
Although the course is mostly hands-on, O'Rourke admits a lot of his time is spent on math. Many of the inmates think they won't need math in masonry, but there's quite a bit to do, he said.
O'Rourke teaches 30 students (15 in a morning class and 15 in the afternoon), and he is very candid about their job prospects.
"I make sure they know, they're not going to leave my class and be masons," O'Rourke said. "They're going to be a laborer. But [employers] will know you've done this course and they'll let you work a wall. And they'll tell really quickly if you know what you're doing. It's cheaper to develop a skilled laborer than hire a mason."
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Recently O'Rourke did hear through a current student that a former student has worked and earned his way into the mason's union as an apprentice. "That was a nice thing to hear," O'Rourke said.
Although he doesn't hear from former students, the job is still rewarding for O'Rourke just for the hope that he may lead a few guys to a better life.
"You can make a good living at it if you're willing to work," he said. "That's what I stress. When they're done working a day, they're too tired to get into trouble. I tell them that—you're working hard, earning a living, it's a viable living.
"Don't forget what you've learned here as far as the hands-on stuff, because eventually you will be given a chance."
Beyond Masonry
In addition to masonry, O'Rourke edits and publishes the facility newsletter, as well as teaches a creative writing workshop once a week.
The program has 15 inmates with a huge waiting list, and they bring in work or O'Rourke gives them a prompt to start their writing. The group covers everything from poetry to novels, and participants share their work in the workshop.
O'Rourke has done this program for nearly two years and it's gone "very well."