The Education Department is supervised by the Supervisor of  Education and is responsible for providing a broad range of programs including academics and testing, social education, parenting, vocational training, pre-release programming, and legal and leisure library resources.

Every inmate will be interviewed by Education staff prior to initial classification with the assigned Unit Team to determine appropriate educational level and desired programming.

If you do not provide official proof of a high school diploma or a GED credential,  you will be required to attend GED classes for a minimum of 240 classroom hours, or obtain your GED.  Your current educational status will be determined during the Education  Intake Interview. All inmates who fail to produce adequate documentation of high school equivalence will be automatically enrolled in a mandatory GED program, until documentation is provided to staff or until the attainment of a General Educational Development Certificate is awarded.  Inmates who do not possess a high school diploma or GED credential will be restricted to pay grade 4 until the attainment of high school equivalency.

The GED program is self-paced.  Upon mastery of the necessary objectives, as well as appropriate scoring on each subject area test of the Practice GED examination, the Test Administrator and Supervisor of Education will recommend you take the Official GED examination.

While the Literacy Program (GED) is available for all inmates to participate, those who elect to not participate after meeting policy requirements should be aware of the following statutes:

The Violent Crime Control Law Enforcement Act (VCCLEA) mandates that any inmate with a date of offense on or after September 1994, but before April 26, 1996, lacking a high school credential, participate in and make satisfactory progress toward the attainment of a General Educational Development (GED) credential in order to vest earned Good Conduct Time. The Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) provides that in determining GCT awards, the Bureau of Prisons will consider whether an inmate with a date of offense on or after April 26, 1996, has earned or is making satisfactory progress toward the attainment of a GED credential.

For inmates serving a sentence for offenses committed on or after September 13, 1994, but before April 26, 1996, all yearly awards of good conduct time will vest for inmates who have earned, or are making satisfactory progress (see Sec. 544.73(b) of this chapter) toward earning a General Educational Development (GED) credential.

For inmates serving a sentence for an offense committed on or after April 26, 1996, the Bureau will award (1) 54 days credit for each year served (prorated when the time served by the inmate for the sentence during the year is less than a full year) if the inmate has earned or is making satisfactory progress toward earning a GED credential or high school diploma; or (2) 42 days credit for each year served (prorated when the time served by the inmate for the sentence during the year is less than a full year) if the inmate has not earned or is not making satisfactory progress toward earning a GED credential or high school diploma.

Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c), an alien who is subject to a final order of removal, deportation, or exclusion is eligible for, but is not required to, participate in a literacy program, or to be making satisfactory progress toward earning a General Educational Development (GED) credential, to be eligible for a yearly award of good conduct time.

If an inmate falls under one of these two (2) sentencing guidelines and chooses not to enroll and make satisfactory progress in the Literacy program, it will have a negative effect on Good Conduct Time. For further information, consult the Program Statement on the Literacy Program (GED Standard) or inquire with Education staff.

English-as-a Second Language (ESL): During the education interview, a staff member will evaluate your ability to speak and understand English if English is not your primary language. If it is determined that you need classes in English-as-a-Second Language (ESL), you will be required to attend ESL classes until you have demonstrated English language proficiency. Proficiency in the ESL program is measured by the achievement of a 225 score on the CASAS Certification Exam. Passing the certification examination is required for completion of the English as a Second Language Program.

Education does have an incentives program for inmates working on their GED or English proficiency. Inmates who pass the GED or ESL program will receive $25.00. Upon completion of the ABE, Pre-GED and GED classes, a Certificate of Noted Improvement will be awarded per request. Additionally, inmates may compete for Student of the Month. Please see your teacher for specific details.

A variety of continuing education programs are offered by the Education Department. These classes vary from semester to semester, depending on interest and instructor availability. Programs offered include Commercial Driver’s License (academic instruction only), Business, Public Speaking, Writers’ workshops, Spanish-as-a Second Language, Business Math, Business Law, Algebra, Spanish, Calligraphy, and other high-interest topics. All post-secondary educational courses must be approved by the assigned post-secondary coordinator prior to enrolling.

All correspondence courses must be approved by the Education Department prior to an inmate enrolling.

The Vocational Training program offers a variety of work-related programs that are classroom and competency based, as well as self-paced.

Apprenticeship opportunities are available as, Electrician, Plumber, Dental Assistant, Carpentry, HVAC, Quality Control Technician, and Baker.

Additional Vocational Training Programs include Automotive Service and Welding.

Upon your request to your unit team, you will be scheduled for a series of pre-release workshops designed to assist you in preparing for your release. These workshops include topics such as Health and Nutrition, Personal Growth and Development, Employment, Personal Finance, Release Requirements, and Community Resources related to Anger Management, family/spiritual counseling, vocational rehabilitation, Social Security programs, and other pertinent information.

The hours for the libraries are as follows:

Monday – Friday Saturday
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Closed Sunday and Holidays

An additional Leisure Library is available in the Recreation Department and is open during Recreation hours.

For more information on Educational Services, see your Education representative for details.