LAWRENCE (Videos – Photos) The Essex County Sheriff’s Department held a graduation ceremony this afternoon for the first class of inmates that participated in its innovative Hardscaping Program at the Essex County Pre-Release & Re-Entry Center in Lawrence. The first of its kind program requires completion of an eight week course that includes experiential learning through field work and academic classwork resulting in the attainment of an industry recognized credential that was created by the New England Concrete Manufacturers Association (NECMA) The Wednesday afternoon ceremony honored 11 graduates and Sheriff Kevin Coppinger spoke indicating, “Our program has provided them with a unique skill set making them marketable in an industry sector with a demand for a skilled workforce.” The program is funded through a Perkins Vocational & Technical Education Grant for incarcerated individuals.
Kevin F. Coppinger – Essex County Sheriff
Christine Eisenhauer – Program Coordinator – Essex County Pre-Release & Re-Entry Center
Larry Nicolai – President of New England Concrete Manufacturers Association
