Turning Lives — and Wheels — Around: New Program Rolls Out at Bent County Correctional Facility”
- Anne Boswell Taylor
- Oct 7
- 3 min read
~Anne Boswell
"I never thought I'd be in a prison repairing wheelchairs!"
An inmate at Core Civic's Bent County Correctional Facility told us that being a part of a new program has blessed him. The conversation happened at a ribbon cutting for the program Wheels for the World, with dozens of guests, administrators, and inmates involved present.
Wheels for the World Director Paul Dorthalina gave background on his organization, Joni and Friends which gave birth to the program as a worldwide ministry. Dorthalina expressed gratitude that the Bent County Correctional facility took on the challenge. The challenge to create a program where inmates would repair donated wheelchairs to make them ready to give to needy people throughout the world.
"There's something different about this, it's super refreshing to see a staff that works this well together." Dorthalina said.
The Wheels for the World has been in Core Civic prison locations since 1998 but only recently has expanded to Bent County.
Wednesday, September 8th, inmates will be able to say goodbye to about 200 wheelchairs they have repaired as they will be loaded and shipped.
Dorthalina looked at the group of inmates in the room responsible for making it happen and reminded them that the wheelchairs will help them tell people about Jesus. "When giving something to someone in need, it opens up their heart."
Bent County inmates at Core Civic are part something much bigger, since 1994, 215,000 wheelchairs have been restored and donated.
According to the World Health Organization, of the estimated 80 million people in need a wheelchair, only 5–35% have access to one. In low-income countries, as few as 3% of people have access to the assistive products they need. (wheelstotheworldorg)
The organization has volunteers worldwide, so the Bent County inmates are only part of the big picture in the mission.
"We see each wheelchair as a person," Dorthalina added that it's giving hope, not just mobility. He told stories of folks who've had their lives changed with the gift of mobility.
In some cases, a disability might mean that a chair must be modified.
One inmate in the program, Smith said helping repair the chairs holds special meaning for him, as he depends on a wheelchair himself. He showed us his workspace and how Core Civic modified his work bench to wheelchair height.
Core Civic Warden Virgil Ensey bragged on his team at the prison, those facilitators and the inmates to step in to make this happen.
"This isn't successful by one person!"
Once everyone had a chance to share about the program, the mission and the work of the inmates repairing the chairs, it was a trip outside to officially cut the ribbon in front of the building where it all happens.
A plaque was given by Joni and Friends and the Wheels to the World staff.
Notes:
Who is Joni?
from joniandfriends.org:
Joni Eareckson Tada is an esteemed Christian stateswoman and respected global leader in disability advocacy. Although a 1967 diving accident left her a quadriplegic, she emerged from rehabilitation with a determination to help others with similar disabilities. . Tada serves as CEO of Joni and Friends, a Christian organization which provides programs and services for thousands of special needs families around the world. President Reagan appointed Mrs. Tada to the National Council on Disability, then she was reappointed by President George H.W. Bush. During her tenure, the ADA was passed and signed into law.
Core Civic operates the Bent County Correctional Facility in Las Animas.
Her last name is TADA? It’s doesn’t get any more congratulatory than that!