Their goal was to have asbestos and demolition done before the Jacobsen-Hunt contractors begin work next week, but that isn't going to happen now because of the amount of asbestos they've located. Workers joke that they're afraid to pull up carpet now for fear they'll find more asbestos-contaminated tile.

"Our original scope of work has easily doubled," Wilmot said.

Making an impression

As far as dealing with other people, Wilmot said some "hear 'inmate' and they're nervous" at first, but they usually leave impressed by the prisoners' manners and work ethic. One security guard complimented them for being courteous.

"We're actually very respectful when it comes to civilians," Cordova said. "Otherwise, we might lose every incentive we have. It's just not worth it to be disrespectful."

Cordova said he hasn't met Gov. Olene Walker. She has yet to climb up the scaffolding, he and Wilmot joked. But they did exchange distant greetings with Utah's top exec.

"I saw her when she was leaving (the Capitol,)" Cordova said. "She waved, so we thought we'd be nice and wave back."

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