Department of Correction Prisoners restore vehicles

Thanks to inmates at three state prisons, the Indiana Department of Correction’s parole division has six refurbished vehicles.

The run-down vehicles were about to be designated as unfit when the DOC parceled them out to the three correctional facilities with auto body vocational programs, in Pendleton, Plainfield and Westville. Prisoners reconditioned them.

Friday, the DOC held its fourth annual auto show and competition Downtown on the mall between the two Indiana Government Center buildings. The winner: a green minivan reconditioned in Plainfield.

“In years past, the auto show was more about the artistic abilities of the offenders in the auto body programs,” said DOC Commissioner Edwin G. Buss , who judged the contest along with Earl Goode , Gov. Mitch Daniels ’ chief of staff. “I am very proud of the hard work put into these cars.”