Correctional Industrial Facility

The Correctional Industrial Facility, otherwise known as the CIF, is an Indiana Department of Corrections prison located in Fall Creek Township, Madison County, near Pendleton.[1] It is a medium-security prison housing roughly 1,398 male inmates.[2] Constructed in 1985, CIF has until recently housed the Indiana Department of Correction's PEN food products plant. However, the food products plant is in the process of closing and will be replaced by a plant to rebuild transmissions. This facility is one of several in Indiana that has a Greyhound rehabilitation program.

History

CIF was originally called Correctional Industrial Complex and went by the initials C.I.C.

CIF was established in 1985 to create a prison in which inmates would work in a variety of industrial jobs while completing their sentences. The Department of Correction established a plant at CIF to process food grown on state farms at the Pendleton Correctional Facility formerly known as the Indiana Reformatory, and the State Prison in Michigan City, Indiana. The food was originally used only for state institutions, but later included some county jails. At the beginning, the prison had a cattle and pig slaughterhouse, meat processing plant, creamery, bakery, and vegetable processing area. The slaughterhouse was closed in approximately 1998. Only the bakery remains and it will close January 1, 2008. All the equipment will be auctioned January 19. In its place, the former food processing plant buildings will be used to rebuild engines and transmissions (and possibly also engines and differentials) for Ready-Built Transmissions.

Physical Description of the Prison

The Correctional Industrial Facility is located directly beside the maximum security Pendleton Correctional Facility. The institution contains administrative, industrial and education buildings. CIF does not have cells, it has mostly two man rooms; inmates are housed in six housing units which together hold up to 1,398 inmates. The housing units and a church are arranged around a large grass yard.

Facility Visitation Policy

Visitation to the facility is permitted 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. except Wed.[2]

Notable Inmates

Inmate Alan Matheny was held in the CIF for a brief time and was one of the notable murderers in Indiana. While at CIF, Matheny was granted an 8-hour leave to visit Indianapolis. Instead, he drove to Mishawaka, IN, and beat his ex-wife to death. Matheny was later executed in a separate prison. Due to the actions of this inmate, severe limitations were placed for many years on all inmates in the Indiana Department of Correction regarding activities outside prison walls and fences.

Programs

The Correctional Industrial Facility has a large variety of programs for inmates. The programs offered by the Correctional Industrial Facility are:

Read-to-Me Literacy Program: This program allows inmates to tape record themselves reading books and to send them to their children. Approximately 40 inmates are involved.

P.L.U.S. Program (Purposeful Living Units Serve): This program is an attempt to instill positive change into the inmates through awareness and creating a purposeful life plan. For the religious inmates, a religious path is provided; for the non-religious inmates, a “character” path is provided. Approximately 118 inmates are involved with this program.

Second Chance for Life Greyhound Rescue Program: This program is one of the more popular programs available at the CIF and it is only available at a few other Indiana prisons. Greyhounds that have previously been racing dogs are brought to live at the prison where inmates are their handlers. In a 12 to 15 week period the inmates bring the dogs up to full health and allow them to interact with humans, as they have never before done. Dog trainers and veterinarians are brought in to assure these dogs are ready for adoption. A total of 33 offenders have been involved in this program.

Recreation Programs: These programs allow offenders to participate in programs in either the gymnasium, weight area, or on the 4-acre (16,000 m2) field. They allow inmates to participate in tournaments and contests as well as be part of a sports league.

Ready Built Transmission Company: This program has not begun yet but is expected to begin by the end of 2007. This program will allow up to 300 offenders to take part in the building of automotive parts.

Inmate to Workmate Program: In this program, inmates are taught by Aramark Corporation in areas such as food handling. This program is a ten-week-long course and also has written examinations.

Kairos Program: This is an international Christian ministry program.

Thinking for a Change Program: In 22 sessions inmates are taught about cognitive behavior and use this to learn about beliefs, attitudes, and values.

PREP (Preventive Relationship Enhancement Program): Through this program inmates learn about what it takes to be an involved, responsible, and committed husband. It allows them to connect with their significant other while incarcerated and prepares them for lasting relationships.

Inside/Out Dads program: This allows incarcerated dads to overcome the challenges that go along with being a parent and how to be a good father.

GCD Community Service: Offenders spend time in this program keeping the grounds clean as well as maintaining Crosley Cemetery.

Road Crew: In cooperation with the Indiana Department of Transportation, offenders help keep interstates trash free.

Lunch and Learn" Staff show their talents at lunch in the visitation room.

References

  1. ↑ "Pendleton town, Indiana." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 26, 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Correctional Industrial Facility website

Coordinates: 39°58′57″N 85°45′33″W / 39.982398°N 85.759066°W