KARTHAUS - A platoon of 43 men and 6 women graduated from the Quehanna Boot Camp Monday.
The military-style program is voluntary and for inmates who have a certain kind of criminal record under 40-years-old.
The boot camp gives inmates a chance to do six months instead of two years and finish the rest of their sentence on a guaranteed parole.
"The discipline and the structure routine is something I completely lacked on the street," said graduate Missy Oberholtzer. "Now i thrive on that and it's what I want for my life."
During the six months, inmates can receive academic education through GED level.
They can also earn vocational certifications including OSHA, custodial maintenance and a PennDOT flagger.
"Sitting in jail somewhere else, you're pretty much waiting for them to change (innamtes)," said Correctional Officer Sam Muchmore. "Here at the Quehanna Boot Camp, we drive them to change."
Since 1992, the boot camp has graduated about 9,000 people.
Officials said the boot camp saves the Commonwealth approximately $11,431 per inmate by placing them in the program instead of another prison or jail.
Those who graduated from the facility Monday said the program changed them for the better.
"If I did get out without this program. I'd probably be in the same predicament I was before," said graduate Jerrad.
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