MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) - Patrick & Henry Community College is partnering with the Martinsville Sheriff’s Office to give local inmates the opportunity to learn new skills and change their lives for the better.

The President of Patrick & Henry Community College and the Sheriff made the announcement Monday morning.

The college received a $100,000 grant from the Tobacco Commission to purchase a mobile lab and start an electrician training program for inmates at the Martinsville City Jail.

“This is exciting for us,” said Sheriff Steve Draper. “We have always supported something to get our offenders out to work, if at all possible, to learn a trade and keep them busy.”

12 inmates will be able to take the 16-week course and receive up to 11 certifications in electrical work upon graduat

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