Hutchinson ? Ron Collins is not proud of his latest stint in prison, but he is proud of the contribution he’s made in the past few months.

Collins and a crew of 24 workers remodeled the House of Capper, the Beer Garden and the Bluestem Wine Garden, completing the projects a week before the fair opened.

“We got something here a man could be proud of,” Collins said, pointing to the newly remodeled Beer Garden.

He’s quick to say he’s a small part of a joint effort.

With flowing white hair, partially hidden by a red ball cap, the inmate at Hutchinson Correctional Facility is dressed in the prison garb of denim jeans and chambray work shirt with a number sewn on the pocket.

The 48-year-old carpenter by trade has been in and out of the prison system for 31 years.

The past eight years, he was free until he bought some tools from a friend that he tried to sell.

“I didn’t know they were stolen,” Collins said.

He returned to prison May 15, and on May 16 went to work at the fairgrounds with the remodeling projects.

Because he had been in and out of the system, Collins said the staff was aware of his skills.

The projects have built his confidence, he said.

Brad Rayl, a fair board member, checked on the projects as they were completed.

The fair board buys the material, the Department of Corrections provides the labor and taxpayers pay for prisoners, who are being productive, Rayl said.

“They have done some real quality work,” Rayl said. “These guys took great pride in the project.”