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| CCI Statement on Whole Foods Decision |
| By Colorado Department of Corrections |
| Published: 10/01/2015 |
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Colorado Springs, CO - The Colorado Department of Corrections is disappointed to hear of Whole Foods’ decision to stop selling products manufactured using labor obtained through Colorado Correctional Industries (CCI). CCI prides itself in providing enriching and diverse job training opportunities for offenders within the Colorado Department of Corrections. CCI offender employees learn valuable, marketable, job, and social skills. CCI offender employees are taught the value of a hard day’s work. They learn accountability and integrity. The slightest misstep can mean the removal of the offender from the program. These offenders learn to work as a team, to accomplish a mission, and they receive pride of accomplishment in knowing their efforts are impacting the outside world around them. An offender from a CCI assignment may not enter the work force in a similar job, but the dedication and commitment to performance learned while working for CCI are invaluable to any industry. These “soft skills” are marketable skill sets that employers consider of critical importance; team-building, customer service, and good work habits. For successful re-entry an offender needs to be able to obtain employment; CCI provides the foundation for more stable offenders returning to our communities. Over 80% of former CCI offender employees with at least 6 months of CCI experience remain unincarcerated after release. This is a significantly better rate than the national average of 61.1%. (Colorado Correctional Industries Annual Report (2014)). Below are testimonials of some former CCI offender employees: “My experience gained while working in CCi’s print shop using — QuarkXPress, InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop — helped me land a position as a Marketing Assistant, designing flyers and promotional materials. My success after release is a tribute to CCi and their efforts at teaching me a new trade.” — Reichert, Past CCi Print Shop Employee ”After release from prison, I began work installing public utilities, water, sewer and gas lines. I am now a crew leader having passed my CDL test. I attribute my success to the K9 Companion Program. I cannot express in words how working with dogs and CCi has truly been a life changing experience.” — Brogan, Past CCi K9 Companion Program Employee Despite yesterday's announcement, CCI will continue to provide excellent service to our communities and support the continued use of CCI offender employees for the betterment of our prisons and our societies. |
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