INMATE EDUCATION PROGRAM REOPENS.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

CASTAIC - After a money-saving, five-month delay, Amer-I-Can returned to the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center this week in a new educational dorm for inmates who volunteer for the motivational education program.

Sixty-six inmates housed together in the maximum-security North County Correctional Facility began the jail transition program founded by football legend Jim Brown.

``We tried to delay it for budgetary concerns,'' Lt. Richard Moak, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which runs the Castaic jail complex. ``They never fund the cost for security.''

After the December graduation of the last Amer-I-Can class at NCCF, sheriff's officials, facing deep budget cuts, decided to cut the security for the program.

``For us, it certainly helps us in terms of costs savings,'' Moak added. ``Now it's just one person instead of two.''

While the program takes place in one dorm, classes are held in an adjacent day room, requiring the presence of an additional deputy. The grouping of inmates in one room makes it easier for guards to manage.

Security is needed, but the costs aren't covered by the program.

``We have to absorb the cost of the program,'' Moak said.

The new $300,000, one-year contract with the Amer-I-Can Foundation pays to train 600 inmates. The program is funded by the Inmate Welfare Commission.

The program teaches self-esteem, anger management and tolerance.

``These are things that will translate in having less violence in the dorms,'' Moak said. ``If they learn something and take it with them, we could have a better society.''

Inmates who quit the course are transferred to other dorms.