people that will see this story and might feel like going to a knitting class might not fit their idea of serving a jail sentence. what would you say to them? >> i'm doing something constructive. i could be doing a lot worse. >> reporter: i had one of the guys put me through the paces. >> wrap it around. >> reporter: in other words, you have to say it. >> you did it. >> reporter: everything they knit goes to charitable causes, like these hats for students at troubled inner city schools. >> you know he did a lot of wrong in society, so i guess this is the way of giving back. >> reporter: lynn and sheila say they've seen their students change for the better. >> these guys are getting out. they can't go one day from doing hard time to the next time being on the streets. they have to make a transition somehow. >> reporter: i'm t.j. winick in jessup, maryland. >> that was a nice one. >> that was a nice hat. >> i'd waer -- wear it. >> some of these inmates actually skip dinner to take the knitting class.