It's well known that Alaska has high rates of prisoners who return to prison again and again. We take a look at one institution trying to change it. CBS 11 News visited Highland Mountain Correctional Center where women are learning some valuable job skills to help them break the cycle of recidivism.

When CBS 11 News visited one group of women, they looked like they were in a high school shop class; but the female inmates at Highland Mountain Correctional Center have a lot more at stake. They are working towards a certificate in construction that they hope will be the ticket to a better life.

"So when they leave the institution at Highland, they are able to take that little card and walk into any union, or construction site, or any company and say, 'I have all this training. What can you do?'" said Karen Jenkins of Hiland Mountain Correctional Center.

The class has been taught for several years by Sheirwin Caldwell. Caldwell owns her own construction company in the Valley. She says she likes to start the women with the very basics.

"Part of the reason I taught it like that is because some of these women are going to own their homes, or cabins, or whatever. So I wanted to teach them from the ground up," said Sheirwin Caldwell of Tundra Rose Construction.

For most of the women, carpentry is something new. But Elizabeth Morgan has taken the class before and says she hopes to use her skills when she gets out in 2009.

"Taking this class and having a leg up on knowing what I know, now that I've taken the class, it's more helpful, if I was to apply for a position in the construction industry," said inmate Elizabeth Morgan.

While not everyone of these women will go on to become a skilled tradesman, the folks at Highland agree that keeping them productive can keep them out of prison and break the cycle of recidivism. And, in addition, Caldwell says, it gives them something else they really need.

"I believe what I saw was hope in them. And

just happy to be learning something new," said Caldwell.

The construction class moves outdoors for some real hands-on building when the weather gets a little nicer. Highland also offers computer-training classes for the women year round.

To contact Lauren, call 907-273-3186.