Transcript IMPROVED WORKPLACE AND COMMUNITY TRANSITION …

Grants to States for Workplace
and Community Transition
Training for Incarcerated
Youth Offenders
“Youth Offender Program”
Importance of Education
in North Carolina
• 40% of prison population did not have a High School
Diploma or GED in 1997.
• By 2004, a typical inmate entering prison was
reading at 9th grade level and math skills were
equivalent at 7th grade level. (July, 2005, NCDOC
Office of Research & Planning)
• Recidivism was 46% lower for prisoners who had
participated in postsecondary correctional education
than for those ex-offenders who had not taken any
college classes. Id. At p.9
Recidivism & Education
“A Direct Link”
• Federal Bureau of Prisons reported a direct
correlation between education and low recidivism
rates (Harer, 1994).
• The more educational programs inmates
completed while incarcerated, the lower the
recidivism rate (Harer, 1994).
• Another study reported inmates who received
either vocational/technical training in prison had
the highest rate of post-release employment
(Anderson, Anderson, & Schumacker, 1988).
Program Accomplishments
• Student-inmates demonstrated consistent
interest; requested to enroll in more than threecourse max. per year.
• 253 college courses have been offered with a
total enrollment of 2,604 and an average GPA of
2.18
• 636 participated in Cognitive Behavior
Intervention
• 479 participated in Employability Skills Training
Program Accomplishments cont’
• Ongoing development of three Employment
Resource Centers located at Wake Correctional
Institution, Sampson Correctional Institution and
Fountain Correctional Institution for Women.
• Partnered with North Carolina Central and IBM to
acquire computers for college level computer
classes.
• Expanded the workplace and community transition
youth program, bringing the total number of facilities
to fourteen.
Program Highlights
• Program was initiated within the North
Carolina prison system eight years ago.
• The five youth facilities were the initial target
market for program.
• Successful in the youth facilities and expanded
to current total of 13 facilities.
• Correspondence courses added in FY 05.
Program Highlights
(con’t)
• Added computers and offered computer related
classes this past semester.
• Budget increase for the coming fiscal year.
• Current plans are to add three more facilities to
the program.
• Assured coming budget to include an increase
in funds.
Mission Statement
The primary mission of the Youth Offender
Program is the reduction of recidivism through a
highly structured educational based program.
Youthful offenders are challenged to utilize their skills
to successfully complete college level courses,
modify present behavioral patterns that may lead to
criminal activity, and to gain insight into daily activities
by successfully completing employability skills
program.
Three Primary Elements
• Provide incarcerated youth post-secondary
education. (Both on and off facility classes)
• Provide cognitive behavioral modification
training for inmates.
• Provide employability skills training program
for inmates.
Program Requirements
• Must possess a High School Diploma or GED
Certificate.
• Must be 25 years of age or younger.
• Eligible for release or parole within 5 years.
Post-Secondary Education
North Carolina Division of Prisons have
partnered with North Carolina University System
to provide educational opportunities through
curriculum programs allowing inmates to receive
an Associate and/or Bachelors degrees. In
addition, Distance Learning, in the form
correspondence courses, has been an added
venue for inmates.
Behavioral Modification
Training
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Develops cognitive skills
Builds character
Enhances critical thinking skills
Heightens self-awareness
Employability Skills Training
To prepare the inmates for the world-to-work:
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Writing Resumes
Effective Interviewing Techniques
Appropriate Attire
How to Keep the Job
Effective Practices in Correctional
Education
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Things to consider
Administration
Academic Programs
Special Education
Employment Preparation
Transition and Support Services
Program Evaluation and Research
Pending Legislation
• Increase eligibility from age 25 to age 35.
• Required five years remain as it currently
stands.
• Up to a max of $1,500.00 per year-max same
as Pell Grant.
• Funds may be utilized for post release support
continuing for up to one year after release.
What Would the
Pending Legislation Mean ??
The Youth Offender Program currently
provide services for approximately 6,000 inmates.
With an increase in eligilibility from age 25 to 35,
the population that would qualify for service with
the Youth Offender Program, would increase
to 17,000 inmates.
Program Contacts
• Rose True, Education Director
919-838-3642 Fax:919-838-4764
• Ruth Duncan, Education Specialist
919-838-3649 [email protected]
• Ken Phillips, Program Manager
919-838-3647 [email protected]
QUESTIONS