INCASA receives $600 donation from Putnamville offenders

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault is the recipient of a $600 donation from the Putnamville Correctional Facility's Purposeful Living Unit Serve (PLUS) program.

The PLUS program, coordinated by case manager Karumathil Kumaran, teaches offenders skills that promote self-awareness and character development. Participants not only have to face the realities of criminal behavior and the impact it has had on communities, but must also demonstrate a willingness to give back to the community.

PLUS offenders are afforded the opportunity to do this by hosting fundraisers and donating the proceeds to charitable organizations. To date, PLUS has donated more than $8,800 to various organizations.

"Our emphasis is to provide offenders with the necessary skills to deter criminal behavior, but more importantly to teach them to have empathy for others and a sense of societal responsibility," Putnamville Superintendent Stanley Knight.