500 Mexican National Inmates Graduate from Educational, Vocational Programs

MILAN, N.M. – Cibola County Correctional Center will host a graduation ceremony to honor more than 500 Mexican national inmates who have received their Mexican GEDs. The inmates have completed an extensive program to obtain the skills needed to find jobs at home when they are released and deported, which reduces the likelihood of their illegally re-entering the United States. Officials from the Mexican government will be at the facility to celebrate with the inmates.

The facility’s principal, Richard Trafton, initiated the program five years ago. He wanted to help prepare inmates for a successful life at home in Mexico by offering them trades and certifications that were recognized in Mexico. CCA officials met with the Mexico Department of Education to find a solution. The program they created has been so successful that it is now being implemented at 32 facilities in 14 states. There are currently 50,000 Mexican nationals in U.S. prisons.

CCA owns the Cibola Correctional Center and operates the facility on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

WHAT: Educational and vocational program graduation ceremony for 500 Mexican national offenders

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 27 1 p.m. MST

WHO: Representatives from CCA and officials from the Mexican government Ciro Suárez Martínez, general director of INEA, Mexico’s National Institute for Adult Education and Patricia Ramos Mendez, director of international programs, INEA

WHERE: Cibola County Correctional Center 2000 Cibola Loop