While the emphasis is on literacy, there also is involvement in other educational areas. Community integration preparation - This class includes approximately 70 hours of formal classroom training. Topics include job seeking and keeping, education continuation, money management, cognitive skills review, health, relationships, stress, self-esteem and values, and vocational exploration. Physical training - One period of rigorous physical training is conducted every day in addition to an intensive work schedule. Training emphasizes aerobic, overall physical conditioning and those physical activities which can be adapted to a healthy lifestyle.
Most work is manual labor, serving as a basis for developing good work habits.
Work squads complete improvement projects on the facility's grounds and perform community service work projects when requested. Ninety days prior to an offender's projected Phase I completion date, the assigned CIP agent reviews the offender's status. Offenders graduate to Phase II only after successful completion of Phase I and development of an appropriate release plan. Paul metropolitan area, Phase II offenders must report to a day-reporting center in St. Paul. In nonmetropolitan areas, offenders are held accountable for Phase II supervision requirements by CIP agents in intensive supervision units located throughout outstate Minnesota.