A new series of classes aimed at improving the lives of inmates once they get back on the street recently helped Harrold perform life-saving procedures on a fellow inmate.

Harrold, now certified in CPR and first aid, watched recently as a fellow inmate fell to the floor and bumped his head during what appeared to be a seizure. Harrold immediately checked the man's pulse, cleared his airway and propped him on his side and waited for jail paramedics to arrive at the unit.

"I'm doubtful I saved a life. I just helped a man," Harrold said.

Before taking the classes, Harrold, 33, said he most likely would have walked right by the convulsing man. But today, empowered with new knowledge and skills, not to mention confidence, Harrold was eager to lend a hand.

Harrold said he didn't know the other inmate but had seen him a few times. The sheriff's office refused to disclose any information about the inmate who collapsed.

A repeat offender and former drug addict, Harrold is serving an 11-month sentence for attempted forgery. He has two months remaining before his release. This current stint marks his ninth trip to the Salt Lake County jail. He vows to make some changes.

"I can guarantee that I will not be back here," Harrold said.

Classes in the jail's Life Skills Program start at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. each day. Inmates are taught a range of subjects including first aid, CPR, finances, résumé writing, parenting and anger management, according to Sgt. Matt Dumont, who overseas the programs.

The classes started in January. Similar offerings have long been established at larger, state-run institutions that house prisoners for long-term sentences. But having a program like this at the county jail, where the average stay is 17 to 19 days, marks a "changing era in corrections," Dumont said.

Sheriff Jim Winder said the new programs are voluntary and work to motivate through opportunity. The jail has graduated three groups of students in the Life Skills Program.

mwestley@sltrib.com