Thanks to inmates of the Mule Creek State Prison, Preston Castle, a national historic landmark located in Ione, is closer to restoration. The two entities have teamed up through the Mule Creek State Prison Vocational Cabinetmaking Program. The program ensures the restoration of all of Preston Castle’s windows and gives inmates the opportunity to learn valuable skills and give back to the community. Each inmate participating in the program works on some aspect of the window restoration project. Instructor Mike Doud supervises the inmates that participate in the five-year cabinetmaking program that is accredited by San Joaquin Delta College.

The restoration of Preston Castle’s windows began in 2007 and will continue until all windows are completed. “We are very excited about this partnership with Mule Creek State Prison,” says Marie Nutting, president of Preston Castle Foundation. “It benefits the prison, the castle and the community.” Chris Weathersbee, public information officer for Mule Creek State Prison, is also enthused about the partnership. “An inmate is much more likely to obtain employment with a contractor or cabinetmaking shop if he can reference specific skills that relate to either of these related trades.” The Vocational Cabinetmaking Program began in 1987 and instructs inmates on all the traditional cabinet construction techniques. The 27 inmates who participate in the program learn every aspect of the cabinetmaking trades and every student who graduates obtains certification as an entry-level tradesman, as well as  the ability and opportunity to achieve economic success.