SOURCE: ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Prison System staff and inmates have designed a handcrafted chair that will be presented as a gift to Pope Francis during his visit to the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on Sunday, Sept. 27.
The commemorative chair was carved out of a solid block of walnut, consisting of 10-foot planks milled to size.
The chair is being developed by the PHILACOR program, the divisional name for 10 industry shops located throughout the Philadelphia Prison System. With roots dating to 1933, PHILACOR’s mission is to nurture the professional growth of inmates through providing real-life work experiences and skills to help prepare for post-release employment.
An average of 18 inmates daily work in the carpentry shop. They are selected based on excellent behavior, reliability and work ethic. They produce 70 completed pieces of furniture each month. ••
A present for the pope: Philadelphia Prison System inmates designed a chair that will be given to Pope Francis during his visit to the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on Sunday, Sept. 27. SOURCE: ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA
