Southern Indiana jails use virtual reality to reform inmates, reduce recidivism

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Some Southern Indiana jails have turned to virtual reality to reform inmates. This opportunity aims to keep inmates from coming back to jail.

"You're looking at the future of incarceration in the state of Indiana," Scott County Sheriff Jerry Goodin said.

Scott County Sheriff Jerry Goodin at VR graduation — Scott County Sheriff Jerry Goodin shakes hands with an inmate graduating from a virtual reality class with an OSHA-10 certification.
Ivy Tech Community College

Goodin works hard to slow the revolving door of inmates at the Scott County jail.

"When people leave our jail, they're not coming back," Goodin said.

He credits this success to the programs his jail offers its inmates. That includes welding classes and safe food handling degrees. Now, he's working with Ivy Tech Community College to offer construction classes.

"When you get here, you're going to go to work," Goodin said. "You're going to be educated."

Since inmates can't have tool kits in jail, they're using virtual reality headsets instead during class. Goodin said these courses are "strenuous" with tests and bookwork.

More than a dozen men spent hours earning their OSHA-10 certifications. This allows them to line up construction jobs when they get out of jail.

"When they walk out of here, they cannot say they never had a chance. We're giving everyone that chance to succeed in life," Goodin said. "It's all been funded by the state, so no taxpayer monies are being involved"

Clark County Inmates VR class graduation — Sheriff Scottie Maples said these were the first inmates in the nation to graduate from the virtual reality class.
Sheriff Scottie Maples

This program aims to reduce recidivism rates, and Goodin believes it's working.

"I'm proud of the inmates that are taking advantage of it," he said. "The folks can walk right out of here and get a job. They can make a decent living and be proud of what they do."

This pilot program also saw success with a handful of inmates in Clark County. Goodin hopes to broaden the certification options to get more inmates engaged.

"Such as driving and how to be electrician," he said. "We are teaching folks how to survive once they get out of jail."

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