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Prison Inmates Contribute To Games
They're the most unlikely contributers to the Olympic games, yet Utah prison inmates are doing their part to make athletes comfortable while they're here.
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(Dec. 8, 2001)------Right now the prison grounds double as a construction zone. Jill Atwood has the story.
They're are a couple different things going on at the Utah State Prison.
These inmates are building warming huts for the athletes, but they are also building self esteem.
It's part of Salt Lake Community Colleges Building Construction Program.
David James/S.L. Community College: "EVERY SEMESTER WE KIND OF LOOK TOWARDS FINDING SOME PROJECTS THAT ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE INMATES HERE, STUDENTS AND ALSO THE COMMUNITY.
Roland Harrop/Inmate: IT REALLY GIVE US SOME HANDS ON EXPERIENCE, YOU KNOW, AS WELL AS LEARNING IT OUT OF THE BOOK. IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME OUT HERE AND ACTUALLY PERFORM THE DUTIES THAT WE'VE BEEN TAUGHT.
They're earning credit while providing a warm place for the athletes to rest.
And they're taking great pride in the craftsmanship.... hoping to perfect a trade they may someday be able to use on the outside.
As for their role in the 0lympic Games...
Jacob Hillyard /Inmate: IT'S BEEN KIND OF A COOL EXPERIENCE, NOT ONLY ARE WE LEARNING BUT WE GET TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE OLYMPICS AND WHAT'S GOING ON SO WE CAN ALL BE A PART OF IT. SO IT'S SORT OF COOL.
Jill Atwood/Eyewitness to the Games: THE INMATES ARE BUILDING ABOUT 12 A DAY. IN ALL THEY'LL CONSTRUCT 300, WHICH WILL KEEP THE ATHLETES WARM COME FEBRUARY. JILL ATWOOD EYEWITNESS TO THE GAMES, UP CLOSE, AT THE UTAH STATE PRISON.
The huts will be used at Deer Valley, Park City, Snowbasin and Soldier Hollow. The inmates must have them all complete by December 18th.
