01/22/2025

Posted By: DreamingCode Admin

A perfect example of this dedication is the recent addition to our OCE Laundry facility at Two Rivers Correctional Institution (TRCI) - a Girbau Flat Work Iron (FWI). Manufactured in Barcelona, Spain, this advanced piece of equipment made its way to Umatilla, Oregon, via Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and has already begun to prove its value since its inaugural run on November 25, 2024.

The Flat Work Iron: A Game-Changer for Efficiency

This cutting-edge machine is designed to dry, iron, and fold flat sheets with remarkable speed and efficiency, processing approximately 8,000 items per day or 400 sheets per hour. When paired with a sheet spreader/feeder (scheduled for installation soon), throughput efficiency is expected to increase by an additional 40%.

Key features of the Flat Work Iron include:

• 93% efficient natural gas heat exchanger, making it both powerful and environmentally friendly.
• The ability to fold items up to four times before neatly depositing them into a stacker.
• Dries, irons, and folds flat sheets in approximately 15 seconds per item.

Thanks to the hard work of OCE Staff Electrician Blake Chewning and AIC Electrician, Jacob, who worked nights, weekends, and even holidays to ensure all electrical requirements were in place, the Flat Work Iron is now fully operational.

Enhancing Training and Skills for AICs

In the months leading up to the Flat Work Iron's installation, AICs at TRCI adapted by manually drying and folding sheets and pillowcases. Now, with the new equipment, the process is streamlined, and AICs are gaining hands-on experience operating industry-standard machinery.

One of the AICs working with the new machine, Ferguson, shared his perspective:

"It's good that OCE purchases new equipment as old equipment wears out. If I were to get a job in a laundry facility on the streets and saw a flat work iron, I have confidence I would be able to do the job with minimal training. I also appreciate that OCE offers the Laundry Certification Program that shows potential employers outside of prison that I have a basic understanding of the entire commercial laundry process."

By providing access to cutting-edge equipment like the Girbau Flat Work Iron, OCE is empowering AICs with marketable skills, hands-on training, and certifications that boost their confidence and employability upon release.

The Bigger Picture

The Flat Work Iron isn't just an investment in equipment; it's an investment in people. Programs like this ensure that AICs leave OCE programs with the tools, knowledge, and experience to succeed. Whether it's learning to operate a commercial flat work iron or mastering skills in other industries, OCE is proud to provide opportunities that make a lasting impact.