Inmates Embrace Virtual Reality for Reintegration into Society

During her first week of job training, Tiffany Joseph Busch was taught how to perform an oil change. She was surprised by how simple it was and mentioned to her instructor that she could have saved money by doing it herself.

However, Busch did not work on a real car during the training. Instead, she practiced in a virtual garage using a Meta Quest virtual reality headset.

Busch, who is 36 years old, is currently serving time at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women. She is part of a special program where she is learning virtual reality skills that will help her become an auto technician once she is released. This training will be very important for Busch as she plans to rebuild her life after spending time in and out of prison since she was 19 years old.

In a recent interview with CNN at the prison, Busch emphasized the importance of receiving this type of training. She expressed her excitement about being able to use the skills she has learned once she goes back home.

Virtual reality technology has been around for over a decade, but it is still mainly associated with gamers. However, MCIW, in collaboration with Baltimore-based nonprofit Vehicles for Change, is investigating the use of VR headsets to enhance career training opportunities in prisons. The goal is to help reduce recidivism rates by providing incarcerated individuals with a clear path to well-paying jobs upon their release.

The demand for auto technicians is high across the United States, with trade groups reporting thousands of unfilled positions each year. In Maryland, these roles often offer wages that exceed the state's minimum wage of $15 per hour.

"This isn’t rocket science. It’s a matter of getting people a job that leads to a career, and we can keep people out of prison,” said Vehicles for Change President Martin Schwartz. “If they can get a job that’s going to pay $16 to $20 an hour, we can change the trajectory of that recidivism rate.”

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A job paying $16-$20 an hour could ‘change the trajectory’ for inmates. Here's how VR could make that possible

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CNN

Auto mechanic training goes virtual

Vehicles for Change started in 1999 to offer inexpensive cars to families in need. In 2016, they began a hands-on training program for ex-convicts to learn auto repair skills and get paid while fixing cars for the organization's customers.

The nonprofit works closely with companies like Napa Auto Parts and AAA, whose members serve on the board, to assist program graduates in finding steady employment.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Vehicles for Change had to reduce the number of trainees allowed in its garages for safety reasons. To continue providing training, Schwartz looked for other options.

He found HTX Labs, a software company that creates virtual reality training programs. They had previously developed programs for the US Air Force and later created an auto mechanic training program for Vehicles for Change.

The nonprofit is also testing the VR auto technician training program in correctional facilities in Texas and Virginia. In Maryland, the VR program offers a new opportunity for job training at the Women’s Correctional Institute. The state's corrections department collaborates with the Department of Labor to identify industry needs and job vacancies. According to Carolyn Scruggs, Maryland’s secretary of public safety and correctional services, this partnership helps address the demand for workers in the field.

Tiffany Busch told CNN the program quickly taught her how to do an oil change.

Many prisons in the state offer mechanic training programs that involve hands-on learning. However, setting up a new garage requires finding space and investing in costly equipment, which is made more challenging due to the strict security measures in place at prisons. Despite the high cost of around $500 per headset, virtual reality headsets are a more cost-effective alternative to traditional hands-on training programs.

"VR technology eliminates the need for physical space and funding to build entire classrooms," explained Danielle Cox, director of education at the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. She oversees the correctional department's 26 different job training programs.

Furthermore, Cox noted, "It allows individuals to gain training within a few weeks, a process that would take much longer with traditional hands-on training in a classroom setting." This means that women in the program have the opportunity to secure employment soon after their release.

Now on its third cohort, the program at MCIW has graduated 15 women since it began last year.

‘There is something outside of here’

The women at MCIW use the gymnasium for their training sessions. They wear headsets that transport them to a virtual auto repair garage, where they can practice using tools and operating a car lift.

After completing the program, the trainees are ready for jobs as tire lube technicians. These positions are available at places like Jiffy Lube or Mr. Tire. They are also prepared to take the Automotive Service Excellence exam, a nationally recognized certification for auto mechanics.

Meagan Carpenter, one of the trainees at MCIW, shared that the best part for incarcerated individuals is the chance to escape mentally and remember that there is a world outside of prison.

She expressed her desire to set an example for her children, especially her daughter, by showing them that women are just as capable as men. Meagan also emphasized the importance of being a positive representative for the program, highlighting the impact of having faith and opportunities given to them by such programs.

Meagan Carpenter and Tiffany Joseph Busch are two of the women in the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women's VR training program.

Mackenzie Happe/CNN

Carpenter believes she can learn how to fix a car in virtual reality without ever working on a real vehicle. She feels "100% confident in my abilities."

Schwartz is confident about the potential of VR training. He believes that auto workers need proper training and employers are willing to teach trainees how to apply their digital skills safely in a real garage.

He stated, "In five years, virtual reality will be the primary method for training skilled trades. This technology will not only revolutionize training, including in prisons, but will also benefit marginalized populations who cannot afford traditional education. By using virtual reality, we will not only address the skills gap in trades but also combat poverty in the country."

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the transformative potential of virtual reality (VR) technology in providing incarcerated individuals with valuable job training and empowering them with skills to succeed upon release. The program at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women is a shining example of this, offering a cost-effective and immersive way to prepare women for careers as auto technicians. By eliminating the need for physical space and expensive equipment, VR opens up job training opportunities to individuals who might not otherwise have access to them. This not only reduces recidivism rates but also fosters a sense of empowerment and hope.

Furthermore, VR training goes beyond technical skills by offering mental escapism and inspiration to those incarcerated. It reminds them of the world outside prison walls and instills confidence in their abilities. By providing incarcerated individuals with opportunities to learn and grow, we not only help them rebuild their lives but also contribute to a more just and equitable society. The success of VR training programs in prisons should serve as a model for expanding access to education and skills development within the criminal justice system.