Furniture Factory Opens at SECC in Charleston

   
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After several months of delays, the 32,000 square foot woodworking factory at Southeast Correctional Center (SECC) in Charleston has opened. The factory officially opened in December 2007, but more employees and equipment have been added since that time.

"This facility will provide Missouri Vocational Enterprises (MVE) customers with high quality, economically priced, college dormitory furniture," MVE Coordinator Steve Ancell told the Horizon. "It will also teach the offenders good work skills, which is very important in reducing recidivism rates."

There are currently 88 offenders who work at the SECC woodworking factory. Ancell anticipates a total of 115 offender workers, once more equipment is added and the paint booth is installed.

The furniture manufactured at SECC is being sold to in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities. Tools and machines for the factory were provided by existing equipment which was transferred from Crossroads Correctional Center (CRCC) in Cameron.

"This newest MVE facility will support the Missouri Reentry Process (MRP) by providing on-the-job training and work experiences in a meaningful employment environment," Factory Manager II Daniel Smith told the Horizon.

Smith noted that in addition to manufacturing furniture, the factory is also providing offenders with job opportunities in shipping and receiving, warehousing and storekeeping. Many of these training programs also can lead to a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship program certificate.

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