A note on the photographs: As a precondition of Dan’s visit, he agreed not to use inmates’ last names in the radio piece or publish images that clearly show their faces. We’ve blurred some of the photos.
Rick Vest teaches a thoughtful — rather than reflexive — way to respond to hostility.
A cosmetology course at what the inmates call “the trade school,” J.F. Ingram’s Tutwiler campus, which from the outside is indistinguishable from the rest of the prison, but inside feels more hopeful. Many of these women had been doing hair and nails before their incarceration but hadn’t been licensed.
A Tutwiler inmate practices her trade.
A different view of J.F. Ingram’s Tutwiler welding shop.
A motivational mural in J.F. Ingram’s Tutwiler auto shop.
Inmates had just taken a break from doing an alignment job on this Corvette.
Tools of a different trade (upholstery).
What the inmates have to work with.
You heard a lot about “Step 5” in the documentary. Here you can see the other four.
You heard this essay read aloud by the aspiring professional welder, formerly an aspiring CEO, in the documentary.
A reminder Mandy Pittman keeps in her office in J.F. Ingram’s Tutwiler campus.