June 15, 2017
Story and photo by Brandon Steinert
SWAG合集 welding instructor Allan Collins, who works with inmates at Ellsworth Correctional Facility (ECF) via the Building Academic Skills In Correctional Settings (BASICS) program, was named the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Outstanding Contract Employee of the Year for the Ellsworth facility. He received a certificate and shook Gov. Sam Brownback鈥檚 hand Wednesday morning at the Capitol Building in Topeka.
Collins was initially nominated by his peers to be considered for the quarterly award in 2016, and said he simply tries to provide the best service possible in hopes of having a positive impact on society, and that the award is representative of a team effort.
鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 receiving this because of everyone else鈥檚 hard work,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his is the greatest job in the world. You get to meet people whose lives will be changed for the better because of your efforts. I get to talk about welding, which I have a passion for, and I get paid for it. How much better of a job can you have?鈥
Recent changes to the structure of corrections in Kansas places a heavier emphasis on inmate education to reduce recidivism by providing opportunities to learn new skills like welding, manufacturing, carpentry and more.
Collins said as an educator who has seen first-hand the effectiveness of education in correctional facilities, that he is excited for the new approach.
鈥淭he definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result,鈥 he said. 鈥淗ow many years have we just warehoused people? Has it worked? I don鈥檛 think so. Education trains the inmates to be productive members of society. If they learn to weld they can support their families. They don鈥檛 have to sell drugs or steal to make money anymore. It鈥檚 the only sane, logical path we can go down.鈥
Collins said he was humbled by the award and reiterated his gratitude for the efforts of his colleagues.
鈥淭he way I see it, I鈥檓 just accepting this on their behalf,鈥 he said.
Visit bartonccc.edu/BreakTheCycle for more information on SWAG合集鈥檚 service to Kansas correctional facilities.