Behind bars, inmates at the Department of Corrections are learning new skills to equip themselves for life after prison. In Guams's prison system, 25 inmates are finding purpose behind bars through a locally-funded grant from the Guam Economic Development Authority. In collaboration with the Guam Trades Academy, inmates can receive a certification in construction upon completion.

Instructing the class is Anthony Duenas, a fellow inmate at DOC. He explained, "They’re learning basic stuff - basic safety, basic hand tools, basic power tools, material handlings, math, construction math, construction drawing, basic communication skills and employee ability skills."

For the next eight weeks, inmates will meet everyday for two-and-a-half hours. One group meets in the morning and the other in the afternoon. While some are taking the class in preparation for life after prison, others do to add meaning to their life behind bars.

"For those that are doing long term like myself, it’s a benefit for me to help those who are here prior to them getting out. Giving them some kind of basic knowledge of what they can afford or what they do when they get out to get a job," said Duenas.

The daily classes instill a sense of excitement for what is to come. Inmate Jonathan Pangelinan said of the experience, "It’s a learning experience, something that we can use when we get out as leverage for helping Guam out in construction."

Another inmate, Manny Salas , told KUAM Newsm "It teaches us about safety and construction and different types of things if we want to learn later on in the future it gives us all breakdowns and basic things."

Once completing the program, inmates will receive their certification from the Guam Trades Academy. This certificate will make it easy for them to get jobs in construction after their time in prison. Those who are interested can also go back to Guam Trades Academy and further their education.