American Plumber Stories recently featured instructor Jorge Arias and the Correctional Training Facility vocational plumbing program in a two-part series.
Inside CDCR caught up with Arias to discuss his career and how he got started in plumbing.
For Jorge Arias, plumbing is a family legacy
Jorge Arias had a strong role model in his plumber father, and always knew he wanted to follow in his footsteps. Now he shares his knowledge with incarcerated men at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad.
Arias is a vocational plumbing instructor at CTF, where he teaches students the plumbing trade. Through hands-on training and mentorship, he helps them gain practical skills, build confidence, and discover a renewed sense of purpose.
From an early age Arias accompanied his father to work sites. âMy dad was basically my hero,â he said.
Arias now takes his 9-year-old son with him to jobs on weekends and after school. âHe knows how to identify some tools, pipes, and fittings,â Arias said. âThe biggest thing is he knows work ethics.â
Paying it forward
In his role as a vocational plumbing instructor at CTF, Arias guides incarcerated students who might not have had a father figure growing up.
âIâm able to help people who never had that help at home,â he said. âIf you train men who have been in this cycle for years and give them a trade and something to look forward to, it might ignite change, not only for themselves but in our communities.â
CTF Warden Edward Borla encourages others in the community to reach out and make a difference. âIf you have a skill you can offer to the incarcerated population, reach out to your local prison to find out how you can get involved and give back,â he said. âYou might hold the key to someoneâs future, giving something that is going to make them more successful when they get out.â
âMy goal is to help them change their identities from felons to plumbers when theyâre done with parole,â Arias said. âBecause once youâre plumbing, youâre known as a plumber. People always go where theyâre needed and wanted. As a plumber, weâre needed and wanted because of the skills we have.â
Making an impact
The American Plumber team returned to CTF to screen the first episode with Ariasâs vocational plumbing class and film the studentsâ reactions.
âLast time I was on TV, it was a press conference with a deputy sheriff in Fresno looking for me,â said one of the students who was featured. âTo see this and know itâs a positive thing, really brought joy to me. I know my motherâs going to see this and how happy sheâs going to be.â
Story by Mary Xjimenez, Information Officer II
Office of Public and Employee Communications
Watch the two episodes on YouTube:
Or use this link for part one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAa7KkppCAc
Or this link for part two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHJntsklkrA
See more stories highlighting CDCR/CCHCS staff.
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