Prison Build Program
The Prison Build Program, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Corrections(MDOC), helps prisoners learn valuable job skills while providing Habitat affiliates with much needed housing resources. While in prison, inmates are involved in constructing walls, cabinets, countertops and sheds that are shipped to Habitat affiliates.
In six years, the program has grown from 16 sets of interior and exterior walls built by inmates in one year to 141 sets of interior and exterior walls, kitchen and bath cabinets, trim, and landscaping materials. In 2005, we plan to produce over 200 sets of walls for the 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project.
Through a generous grant from Michigan State Housing Development Authority, materials are provided for the panelized stud walls. A partnership with the Michigan Army National Guard ensured that the walls were delivered to the affiliates with no delivery charge. (Since the war in Iraq has escalated, all transportation units from Michigan are serving overseas. Negotiations are underway with private hauling concerns to try and keep the cost as low as possible.)
Cabinets, countertops and sheds are built with materials paid for by the affiliate ordering them. Affiliates only need to pick up these items at the prison where they are constructed.
This program and the partnerships it has fostered provide win-win situations for the parties involved:
- Habitat homeowners win because the cost of their home is less and their dream of homeownership is realized more quickly.
- Habitat affiliates win because their costs per home are reduced as are the volunteer hours needed per project.
- The inmates win because they have a goal to work toward, a much-needed leg up when they are released and an outlook adjustment that may benefit them more than the training they receive.
- The National Guard wins because this program provides many training opportunities for their members.
- Finally the citizens of Michigan win on all fronts. The property tax base in Habitat communities is increased to the benefit of all residents, the overall quality of life is increased when families' living conditions improve, Michigan National Guard members become well trained, and inmate recidivism is decreased.
Home plans are available on the State of Michigan website. Forms for ordering cabinets, trim, sheds, and wall panels can be found in the forms library.