So far, the inmates' contributions to the support center have been "absolutely excellent," said Jubic. In 2006, the support center fielded a total of 46,000 work orders. The inmates on duty handled 16,000 of those orders and closed 8,000 of them, said Danley. "Those numbers are quite helpful to our staff."

The program has also benefited Lorene Cardenas, an inmate who has worked in the IT support center for the past 17 months. "I have a lot more self esteem and self confidence since I've been here," said Cardenas, who has two and a half years left on a five-year sentence for attempted escape from parole. "I know I can go out there and hold my head high in an office environment," she said.