CIM donates money for domestic violence program in Chino

Inmates from the California Institution for Men contributed $4,876.70 to the City of Chino, New Direction program, an organization that provides help for victims of domestic violence, during a presentation to the Chino City Council last evening.

The contribution, which was presented by CIM Warden Mike Poulos and Scott Perkins, manager of Joint Venture Program for the Prison Industry Authority, represented 20 percent of the wages earned by inmates who work for Earthwise Recycling, which converts stale bread and other bakery goods into cattle feed.

"Providing jobs for inmates gives them skills that are necessary to help ensure their success when they are released from prison," said Mike Poulos, warden for the California Institution for Men. "In addition, this provides a means for inmates to recognize the harm they have done to victims of their crimes. It also serves in the rehabilitation of inmates."

Warden Poulos said the donation was made possible from the collaborative efforts between the California Institution for Men, the Prison Industries Authority and the Joint Venture Program (Earthwise Recycling).