When learners at Dyer County Jail in Tennessee talk about life after release, the stakes are clear.
“If they don’t have income coming in, they know what they’ll go back to,” says Jeanna “Miss Gina” Damesworth, Education Instructor at Dyer County Jail, an Orijin partner. “They’ve got to live. They’ve got to eat. This gives them an opportunity to do something different.”
That opportunity takes shape through a manufacturing certification pathway built around the ToolingU SME Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) credential and delivered securely inside the facility through Orijin. What’s happening in Dyer County offers a powerful example for correctional educators looking to connect programming to real workforce demand.
Jeanna recently participated in Orijin’s Lessons from the Field: Manufacturing Certification in Corrections webinar, but the impact in Dyer County extends well beyond a single presentation. It’s visible in outcomes, engagement, and classroom culture.
Strong Results and Growing Demand
Dyer County’s first CMfgA cohort launched in April 2025 with 15 learners. One participant was released before testing. Of the 14 who sat for the certification exam, all 14 passed. Interest surged almost immediately.
“Every time I walk down the hall or [Orijin] tablets are passed out, they ask, ‘When are we starting the next class?’” Jeanna says. “There’s a waiting list. They know this is something they can take with them. It’s a real credential.”
A second cohort of 15 learners is already underway. For many participants, the appeal is simple: the certification strengthens a résumé, signals readiness to employers, and represents a step toward sustainable employment rather than short-term work.
Structure + Support = Success
Learners complete coursework independently on secure tablets. But access alone isn’t enough.
“You can’t just hand them the tablet and say, ‘Here you go,’” Jeanna explains. “If they’re struggling, who are they going to talk to?”
Dyer County built in intentional support:
- Independent tablet-based study
- Daily 1.5 to 2-hour study groups at the main jail
- Sunday review sessions to prepare for testing
Staff coordinate tablet access daily for group study. At the annex work center, learners receive tablets when they return from work. Structured study time reinforces learning across both settings.
Math is often the biggest hurdle.
“They’d say, ‘We can’t do this,’” Jeanna recalls. “And I’d tell them, ‘Yes, you can. We’ll work through it together.’”
Study groups became critical. Learners shared notes, asked questions, and worked through problems collectively. That in-person reinforcement helped turn uncertainty into confidence.
A Credential That Opens Doors
From the beginning, Jeanna emphasizes that the CMfgA credential carries weight beyond the jail.
“It’s not just something you print off here,” she tells learners. “This is something you can take with you.”
Because she also teaches a longer manufacturing-focused Certified Production Technician class, she helps learners see the broader pathway. With foundational skills in safety, measurement, and quality, learners can pursue roles in production, maintenance, quality control, and other advancement tracks.
“It gives them an opportunity to grow,” she says. “It’s not just one lane.”
For individuals preparing for reentry, that distinction matters. The certification demonstrates reliability, skill, and readiness in a high-demand field.
Staying Connected
Ongoing communication plays an important role. Jeanna uses Feeds, a secure staff-to-learner messaging feature on the Orijin platform, to send announcements and respond to learner questions.
“I check it several times a day,” she says. “They can message me if they’re stuck. They know someone’s there.”
Instead of relying on corrections officers to track her down, learners can reach out directly. That responsiveness builds trust and keeps momentum moving forward.
Leadership Rooted in Belief
Jeanna began her career as a corrections officer in 2011 before transitioning into education full-time in 2017. Seeing both sides of the system informs how she leads her classroom today.
“I see them as people, not criminals,” she says. “It doesn’t matter what brought them here. What matters is what we do going forward.”
When learners return after release, she doesn’t see failure. She sees another opportunity.
“We’re not going to give up on them.”
That belief shows up in the extra hours, the study groups, and the daily check-ins. It shows up in a cohort where nearly every learner passed a nationally-recognized certification exam.
What Educators Can Take from Dyer County
For correctional educators considering industry-aligned pathways, Dyer County’s experience offers clear lessons:
- Align programming with real workforce demand
- Pair digital learning with consistent, high-touch support
- Create structured study time for collaboration
- Communicate often and build trust
When education aligns with real labor market needs and is delivered with structure, accountability, and belief, the impact extends beyond the classroom. Learners leave with recognized credentials, practical skills, and renewed confidence. Facilities strengthen reentry outcomes. Communities gain job-ready workers.
In Dyer County, manufacturing certification is more than coursework. It is preparation for sustainable employment, stronger reentry outcomes, and a safer, more stable future.
Interested in exploring workforce programs for your facility? Contact us.
