Shannon Varnes, Warden of Lancaster Correctional Institution, left, Jody Hyde, center, and Britton Fletcher, right, the instructor at the Marine Service Technology Program for Inmates at Lancaster Correctional Institution, explains the process of becoming a part of the program intended for inmate rehabilitation and training on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Fletcher said he’s “got a good crew,” and appreciates the opportunity to teach inmates. (Augustus Hoff/WUFT News)
The Lancaster Correctional Institution is a level IV youthful offender facility for male inmates between the ages of 15 and 24. Operated by the Florida Department of Corrections, it is located in Trenton, Florida and can house up to 730 minimum, medium, and closed-custody inmates. The Marine Service Technology Program is one of five vocational programs available to inmates.
Thomas Parker, an incarcerated person at Lancaster Correctional Institution, cleans an engine part in the Marine Service Technology Program on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Parker said that the program has a $1,000 budget every year for equipment. (Augustus Hoff/WUFT News)
Jody Hyde, an incarcerated person at the Lancaster Correctional Institution, stands in front of a mural showing the anatomy of a traditional boat on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 at Lancaster Correctional Institution. Hyde has a college degree in history and helped reorganize the vocational program for marine services with the help of the new teacher, Britton Fletcher. (Augustus Hoff/WUFT News)
Britton Fletcher, right, the teacher of the Marine Service Technology Program for Inmates at Lancaster Correctional Institution, shows new students the first step in the vocational program Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 at Lancaster Correctional Institution. This is Fletcher’s first time working with a corrections facility and said he takes great pride in his work, often donating his own money and equipment to the program. (Augustus Hoff/WUFT News)
Billy Bryan, front, and Jacob Dance, rear, work at the engine fuel injection station at the Marine Service Technology Program on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 at Lancaster Correctional Institution. The program has a total of 12 engines that incarcerated people can work on to gain certifications. (Augustus Hoff/WUFT News)
Brandon Alkire, an incarcerated person at Lancaster Correctional Institution, flips a switch that controls the lights at the end of a model tailgate on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Alkire said his favorite aspect of marine technology is understanding the digital side and working with electronics. (Augustus Hoff/WUFT News)