Inside Soledad State Prison with Larry Jones – Part 1

In this powerful special episode of American Plumber Stories, Larry Jones—founder of Universal Plumbing and a respected leader in the trade—travels from Augusta, GA, to Soledad State Prison in CA to speak directly to inmates in the prison’s vocational program.

Larry’s story is one of overcoming poverty, racial barriers, and seemingly dead-end circumstances to build the largest plumbing company in Augusta. Raised in a poor neighborhood, with parents who had only elementary school educations, Larry knows what it means to overcome the odds. Today, he owns a successful plumbing business, mentors young tradespeople, and lives a life shaped by grit, positivity, and purpose.

In his message to the inmates, Larry shares a simple truth: “When you change your mind, you change your life.” His words resonate deeply with the apprentices—many of whom are finding renewed purpose and pride through the trades.

The program, featured in the Season 5 finale, equips incarcerated men with real-world plumbing skills and a renewed sense of direction. With Larry’s encouragement, the message is clear: there’s dignity, purpose, and opportunity in the trades.