March 27, 2024

By Melissa Paulsen

Imagine coming across an announcement for a yearlong full stack development course that promises to equip you with the tools you need to jump-start a career in tech—even without prior coding experience. After going through a rigorous interview process and passing a logic test, you attend class for eight hours every day with no access to the internet. You only have a computer with lesson modules, a pile of books, your peers, and a remote instructor. After 12 months you complete this challenging course work. Your next milestone is parole.

This was the reality for Jason Ho'omalu and Adam Wilson, two alumni of The Last Mile's web development course at Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge. Ho’omalu and Wilson graduated as part of the program’s first cohort in Montana with 15 other students on September 28, 2023.

With support from Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, The Last Mile (TLM)’s web development class launched at Montana State Prison with 22 students on September 19, 2022. The program aims to reduce recidivism by teaching justice-impacted individuals to create websites and full-stack web applications using industry-standard technologies. After completing the course, graduates have the foundational skills they need to start a career in tech.

Based in Oakland, California, TLM is a 501(c)3 organization driven by a mission to provide personal and professional development opportunities for justice-impacted individuals through technology training. Intensive course material helps prepare students for jobs related to web development, software engineering, or audio and video production.

Founded in 2010, TLM’s programs are active in 20 classrooms across 7 states with more than 1200 student participants supported through prison education, transitional support, and workforce reentry.

Through TLM’s web development course students can gain a variety of essential technical and soft skills. Each week, students are assigned self-paced modules that serve as the building blocks for creating a final capstone and thesis project.

During the first six months of class, students learn web development fundamentals (WDF) including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. After completing WDF, students advance to back-end framework like MongoDB, Express, React, and Node (MERN). Throughout the course students compile a portfolio of work that they can share with potential tech employers upon release.

TLM students learn how to problem-solve on their own by looking up answers in documentation, and they practice teamwork and communication by clearly explaining the trouble they’re having with their code to peers and instructors. The class culminates with a final presentation of students’ capstone and thesis projects to help hone their public speaking skills and encourage confidence in their work.

More Than a Class – TLM Helps Alumni Rediscover Their Purpose

Ho’omalu and Wilson graduated with more than just in-demand full-stack development skills; they also established a tightly knit brotherhood with many of their peers.

“We all lived on the same block together, worked out together, [and] went to lunch together, so it was a complete immersion into [the program] and that’s what we knew when we got released,” Wilson said.

“[TLM] built a recovery family of people getting out and trying to do good, whether they pursue code or not,” Ho’omalu added. “We [TLM alumni] reach out to each other and support one another. It doesn’t end after prison, that’s for sure.”

For Wilson, participating in TLM was life-changing. He said TLM restored not only his confidence, but also reignited his hope for the future.

“I feel like I came out a better person [and] a more educated person with a set of skills that I didn't have before that can now be a career path to a successful life,” Wilson said. “[With TLM] you're part of something bigger than yourself. I've bridged the gap and gotten around some other professionals and that just makes [me] want to be better. It’s very rewarding.”

Wilson recently joined IIInigence in Billings as a project manager intern for their business development team and is working toward becoming a certified project manager. Founded in 2019, IIInigence is a remote custom software development company.

Ho’omalu shared Wilson’s sentiments about TLM’s program. “Having something that I can pursue on [a high level] is a huge change and having a skill set that I feel like is valuable makes me feel valuable,” Ho’omalu said. “There isn’t anything more rewarding than being able to come home and contribute to my family.”

At the beginning of 2024, Ho’omalu started as a remote instructor for the TLM web development fundamentals course and enjoys collaborating with the students, especially on the JavaScript module. His goal is to join a full-time software development team. Ho’omalu is also a volunteer community ambassador of TLM for Montana’s region where he schedules events and stays connected with TLM alumni.

Derek Eaton, managing director for IIInigence and Montana High Tech Business Alliance board member, met Ho’omalu and Wilson during a visit to Deer Lodge to learn more about TLM’s technology training program.

“I was taken away by the projects [TLM students] had created,” Eaton said. “Seeing the technology they were building, the commitment that they had made to be part of the class, and how closely they were working together was a profound experience.”

For his capstone project, Ho’omalu built a role-playing game where users could walk around and kill monsters, cast magic, find items, and gain experience points. Ho’omalu then designed a social media website called “Got Your Six” that helps veterans like Ho’omalu build community by sharing their stories and exploring resources.

Wilson’s capstone projects focused on the development of AWMV Consignments, an online platform facilitating the buying and selling of various goods, especially vehicles. Wilson created a user-friendly interface and implemented robust security measures, including a secure user login and password system to protect user data and privacy.

Both Wilson and Ho’omalu are part of a new team of four TLM alumni interns working closely with Eaton at IIInigence on a full-stack development project that uses advanced technology like Web3 and crypto assets. Eaton said IIInigence’s next steps include branching off into AI-modeling.

Bridging the Gap – Creating Job Opportunities for TLM Alumni in Montana

One of the biggest obstacles TLM alumni face is finding fair chance employers to help them launch a career in tech with their newly acquired skill sets. Montana community members and tech employers can help break down this barrier.

At IIInigence, Eaton is working hard to establish the first step after release—a 90-day internship program that will help TLM alumni continue to upskill and find full-time employment.

“[Internships] will take the tools [TLM alumni] already have and sharpen them,” Eaton explained. “Being in an incarcerated state, [TLM students] didn't exactly get to use the same software [IIInigence] use(s) today but their skills are transferable.”

Eaton is introducing interns to industry-standard technology stacks as well as Scrum and agile methodologies. Team members are also developing adjacent skill sets like business development and project management. Eaton hopes that some TLM alumni will go on to start their own businesses as contract developers.

For TLM to have continued success in Montana, the program needs buy-in from the community.  Eaton is looking for business or nonprofit partners to contract with his intern team for paid development of websites, apps, or software. Donors could also help with funds to pay intern stipends.

Additionally, Montana tech employers and community members can support TLM alumni by inviting them to local events like happy hours to help them practice networking or by setting up demo days where alumni can showcase their work.

“I believe in these guys,” Eaton said. “They’re talented and they’re good people. I’m happy I found a way to have this in my life. I'm trying to help pave their path for them and help them keep moving forward. Belief goes a long way.”

For more information on how to get involved, please contact Derek Eaton, at derek[at]iiinigence.com.

Resources:

• The Last Mile Technology Training Program at Montana State Prison and Fair Chance Hiring Webinar

• Tech Sector Leaders Visit Montana State Prison to Meet The Last Mile's First Technology Training Cohort

About the Publisher: Launched in 2014, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance is a nonpartisan nonprofit association of more than 200 high tech and manufacturing companies and affiliates creating high-paying jobs in Montana. For more information, visit MTHighTech.org or subscribe to our newsletter.

About the Author: Melissa Paulsen is the communications coordinator for the Montana High Tech Business Alliance. She graduated from the University of Montana in 2022 with a BFA in creative writing and a minor in history.