Harrison Career Center students build pull-up bars for jail inmates

Harrison Career Center students recently put their trade skills to work on a project benefiting the Harrison County Jail.

According to the Ohio Revised Code, the state requires that inmates be offered at least five hours of exercise per week. Jail Administrator Mark Smith said the new equipment will help meet that standard.

When Smith approached David Nemeth, carpentry instructor at HCC, the idea was shared with welding instructor Matthew Sharp. The result was four sturdy pull-up bars installed in the jail’s recreation area.

“It helps us maintain the state’s standard for inmate recreation,” Smith said.

The only cost to the jail was for lag bolts. All other materials and labor were provided through the efforts of HCC students. The bars were installed March 13 and already have been used by inmates.

“I’m just very thankful,” Smith said, expressing appreciation for the school’s contribution.

Sharp said the project took about five days to complete as students worked around their regular class responsibilities. He added that students recently finished another project — a large red needle disposal bin for the health department.

He said hands-on projects help reinforce fundamental skills while encouraging creativity.

Sharp said materials were sourced from Zanesville to construct the 1½-inch round tubing used for the bars, which are mounted horizontally between wall brackets.

“A lot of them seem to like it,” Sharp said of both the project work and welding in general, as well as the career opportunities available after graduation.