INMATE RELEASED TUESDAY WALKS NEARLY SIX MILES TO ATTEND WELDING GRADUATION AT WALTON COUNTY JAIL; EIGHT RECEIVE AWS CERTIFICATES

Posted on December 11, 2019

Steven Hurst poses with his welding instructor John Greehalgh.
Inmates clapping during graduation ceremony.
Walton County Jail Director Cory Godwin addresses attendees at the graduation ceremony.
Inmates sit in a classroom at the jail during the welding graduation ceremony.
Inmates seated during graduation ceremony.
Bill Allison, the Director of Professional and Workforce Training at Northwest Florida State College addresses inmates.
Welding graduates pose with their instructor following the ceremony.
John Greehalgh, Northwest Florida State College welding instructor, shakes the hand of an inmate receiving his certificate.
John Greehalgh, Northwest Florida State College welding instructor, smiles with an inmate receiving his certificate.
John Greehalgh, Northwest Florida State College welding instructor, smiles with an inmate receiving his certificate.
John Greehalgh, Northwest Florida State College welding instructor, smiles with an inmate receiving his certificate.
John Greehalgh, Northwest Florida State College welding instructor, smiles with an inmate receiving his certificate.
John Greehalgh, Northwest Florida State College welding instructor, smiles with an inmate receiving his certificate.
John Greehalgh, Northwest Florida State College welding instructor, smiles with an inmate receiving his certificate.
John Greehalgh, Northwest Florida State College welding instructor, smiles with an inmate receiving his certificate.

December 11, 2019

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla— It’s nearly six miles from the Walton County Courthouse to the Walton County Jail. To drive it takes just minutes. But, to walk it? Look no further than Steven Hurst for the answer.

Hurst is part of the seventh class of inmates to graduate from the welding program while incarcerated at the Walton County Jail.

Wednesday, the staff held a ceremony to recognize their completion of the program. Hurst, who was released Tuesday night at midnight, walked from a hearing at the courthouse to the jail to attend.

“I appreciate the opportunity to be here,” said Hurst.

The eight men, two from Escambia County and six from Walton County, spent the last six weeks learning the trade thanks to a partnership between Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Northwest Florida State College.

Tyler Gess, Steven Hurst, Alex Johnson, Lance Johnson, Lorenzo Macias, Edward Robinson, Timothy Sanders, and Gary Triche were taught various types of welding during the six-week course including flux core, stick, and tig welding.

For the first time since the program’s birth, all eight men passed the American Welding Society certification test.

“We are proud of their accomplishment,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “They’ve earned it. Now, it’s their choice to put it to work.”

Northwest Florida State College Director of Professional and Workforce Training announced the men will be able to apply their certificate towards 400 contact hours required for the flux core welding course if they choose to attend the college in Niceville.

After the ceremony, students were given the opportunity to interview with the Emerald Transformer’s Hiring Specialist.

“Our mission is to reduce recidivism through recovery,” said Sheriff Adkinson. “Offering these opportunities is a big part of our commitment to that goal.”