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Media Relations Office:
High school completions up 295 percent in just two years
Record numbers of state inmates have earned their high school diplomas behind bars. During FY2005, a total of 3,125 Arizona state inmates received general education diplomas (GED) while confined, a 295 percent increase in the number of diplomas awarded in FY2003. ADC revamped its inmate education program, and improved its outcomes with no additional funds, no new instructors and no more classrooms. First, the department recognized the impact of enrolling as many inmates as possible in a basic education program. Then it turned to its educators and corrections officers who together as a team, identified inmates in need of instructional services. More inmates filled more of the available seats; completed the mandatory basic education component and were encouraged by staff to stay in school to complete their high school education. To reach more inmates faster than before, ADC adopted an individualized approach, tailoring its educational curriculum to fit the needs of each inmate. “It’s critical that every able inmate earns a GED certification before he is released. It’s a basic credential, prerequisite to finding and keeping a job in the community. It’s important to all taxpayers that ex-offenders are able to find and keep jobs to take care of themselves and their families. Our staff has done a phenomenal job working with the inmate population to achieve remarkable results,” Director Schriro said. The emphasis on basic education is a component of the department’s Re-entry initiative, which presses all offenders to be accountable to crime victims and assume responsibility for preparing for their release from prison as civil and productive citizens. |
