GEORGIA GEORGIA GEORGIA GEORGIA GEORGIA Department of Corrections Education & Programs Correctional Education & Programs Leading the Nation in Correctional Education L. C. (Buster) Evans, Ed.D. Asst. Commissioner Inmate Services 2016
2
Life Before Life After 3
4
Illiteracy & Crime Adult low literacy can be connected to almost every socio-economic issue in the United States: More than 60 percent of all state and federal corrections inmates can barely read and write. Low health literacy costs between $106 billion and $238 billion each year in the U.S. 7 to 17 percent of all annual personal health care spending. Low literacy s effects cost the U.S. $225 billion or more each year in non-productivity in the workforce, crime, and loss of tax revenue due to unemployment (ProLiteracy). 85% of all juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate (National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 2003). Correctional populations report lower educational attainment than do those in the general population. An estimated 40% of State prison inmates, 27% of Federal inmates, 47% of inmates in local jails and 31% of those serving probation sentences had not completed high school or its equivalent while about 18% of the general population failed to attain high school graduation (Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report 4/15/03 - Education and Corrections Populations - full report attached). Illiteracy and crime are closely related. The Department of Justice states, The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure. Over 70% of inmates in America s prisons cannot read above a fourth grade level (www.begintoread.com). More than 60% of all state and federal corrections inmates are considered "functionally illiterate" (ProLiteracy). 5
Illiteracy & Crime 85 percent of all juveniles who come into contact with the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate. So are 60 percent of all prison inmates. Inmates have a 16 percent chance of returning to prison if they receive literacy help, as opposed to 70 percent for those who receive no help. This equates, according to the study, to taxpayer costs of $25,000 per year per inmate and nearly double that amount for juvenile offenders. (California & New York spend over $200,000 per year on juveniles in their juvenile justice systems). "if we raise the number of third-graders who read at a third-grade level, we affect everything, from graduation rates to incarceration rates." 6
7
Dr. Sarah Higinbotham Georgia Tech Here s one of my former students from Phillips State Prison, living in Decatur these past five years, who has now successfully finished parole. I beat the odds, he told me then said, please don t ever stop teaching on the inside." He still has his copy of Paradise Lost that we studied in a world literature class at Phillips State in 2009. Very gratifying to do this work! Sarah Sarah Higinbotham, PhD School of Literature, Media, and Communication Georgia Institute of Technology 8
9
Criminal Justice Reform in Georgia 3 Legs of Georgia s Criminal Justice Reform Adult Courts creating a variety of accountability courts helping keep non-violent offenders out of prison. Juvenile Courts similar to adult accountabilities. Re-entry Prisoner Re-entry and educational programs. Early Results Reduction of non-violent offenders in prison/under sentence in Georgia by approximately 10,000 inmates. Reduction of African American Males in prison by 19.1%. Reduction of African American Females in prison by 34%. CJ Reform efforts gaining national attention. 10
Why Correctional Education? Cause Decreased recidivism rates for individuals who have received an education while incarcerated. Approximately 60% do not have a HS diploma or GED. Decreased levels of violence while incarcerated and after release. Positive effect on children with incarcerated parents in pursuing their own educational endeavors. Most inmates will be released. Educational programs allow them to have something to fall back on in the real world. Approximately 17,000 inmates return home in Georgia each year. Return on Investment For every $1 invested in correctional education, there is $5 saved in future incarceration costs. Overall, this study shows that the debate should no longer be about whether correctional education is effective or cost-effective but rather where the gaps in our knowledge are and opportunities to move the field forward. -The Rand Corporation, 2014 For every $1 invested in vocational/technical programs in corrections, there is $12 saved in future incarceration costs (Source: Washington State Institute for Public Policy, 2012) 11
Why Correctional Education Can Be The Most Rewarding Job in American Education? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maqihrikgzm Students come to class Don t bring cell phones Don t bring weapons Are not high or on illicit drugs Many inmate students are actually very appreciative and engaged You have on site school resource officers You have several parapros per class No CRCT s, EOCT s, SAT s, etc. No extra duties No parent conferences No TKES & LKES 12
GDC Pioneer Initiatives Charter High Schools Welding Certificate Programs Diesel Mechanic Programs ASE Mechanic Certificate Program Computer based GED, Partnership with TCSG Deployment of G.O.A.L. Tablet Devices for Learning Fast Track GED Tier Segregation GED Established Veteran Reentry Program Dorms Veteran On-line College Bee Keeping Program, UGA College of Agriculture CDL Programs 13
Some Program Highlights Charter Schools at LASP & BCTC Welding Programs at Walker, Ware, and adding Lee & Arrendale Diesel Mechanic Technician Programs at Telfair, Rogers, & Ware Online College for Veterans at Emmanuel with Johnson & Rutledge to follow 20 FT Teachers hired for big mediums expanding the instructional hours per week Over 100,000 books collected in reading initiative GED Numbers impressively on the rise GOAL tablet devices over 5,400 deployed as of March 2016 Chaplains in ALL facilities with upgrades to Full-time status for Max and Large Medium facilities Tier programming to include GED instruction and testing
6000 5000 4000 4935 5561 GDC Monthly Roll-Up Education and Programs Program Average Monthly Enrollments by Category FY 15 and FY 16 3000 2000 1263 1317 1794 2138 1000 0 Education Vocational OJT FY 15 FY 16 600 500 400 GED Completions Monthly YTD Comparison between FY 15 and FY 16 357 387 546 1200 1000 800 Program Completions by Category YTD Comparison FY 15 and FY 16 858 973 970 300 200 100 132 162 223 600 400 200 518 0 December January February 0 Vocational OJT FY 15 FY 16 FY 15 FY 16
Top 5 Facilities with GED Completions FY 16 14 YTD 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Burruss CTC Coastal SP Bainbridge PSATC Coffee Total number of GED completion to date: 127. ASMP Series1 12 12 12 8 7 GED Completions Monthly YTD Comparison between FY 15 and FY 16 9 5 24 93 55 127 July August September FY 15 Fy 16 GDC Monthly Roll-Up Education and Programs 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Vocational Program Completions FY 16 YTD Top 5 Facilities 139 JOHNSON STATE PRISON Johnson & Arrendale have Computer Technology & Customer Service in RSAT Chaplaincy Program Information - September 2015 Total Number of Chaplains Worship Services 82 75 69 RIVERBEND CORR FACILITY WHEELER CORR FACILITY 55 Total 29 full-time 10 part-time 16 Volunteer Protestant (579) +13 (36,807) -2.251 Catholic (77) -18 (889) -456 Jewish (55) +39 (55) +39 Islamic (150) +4 (7,170) +382 Other (162) +52 (1,911) +828 Volunteer Activity 3,020 COFFEE CORR FACILITY 20 PULASKI STATE PRISON Monthly Participation Reported
A GDC/GED First Tier Segregation GED s. 100% passing rate at Smith State Prison. Unit Manager Eric Smokes It was an honor to see these guys be able to accomplish a step towards a brighter future. The offenders are starting to make better decisions and focus more on what s important in life. It was moving to witness the unification of family and to allow their parents the opportunity to witness one of their accomplishments. Thomas Spencer -First and foremost I would like to thank the staff and teachers for allowing me to take the opportunity to take the GED classes and test. Receiving my GED was very important to me because you cannot get far without any education. This is only the beginning for my quest for knowledge. I foresee college or some sort of trade school in my future. The graduation really meant a lot to my mother because she has not seen any of her children graduate. I felt elated to be able to give her that experience. Thank you again staff and teachers at Smith SP. Carter Chernard -The GED program was enlightening and a confidence builder. The staff tried their hardest to assist us on our pursuit to discover ourselves and I m ecstatic. I did not let them or me down. What has been done for me is priceless. Even the ceremony was well put together. I m thankful and grateful and looking forward course from Adams College. Potts Arieus - I am honored to finally accomplish something that I have been working toward for a vast portion my young life. Getting my GED was a small step towards a greater endeavor. I give myself accolades because I persevered at this endeavor. I would like to thank everyone who helped in making this a success. It s a rare occasion where we can accumulate a positive vibe on behalf of a cause that will benefit our lives. It takes an amazing soul to move on one accord to acculturate a forgotten population of society.
Treatment Effect from Programs 3 Year Felony Reconviction Rates or Program Completers vs. General Population 30.00 25.00 20.00 26.70 20.83 22.41 25.58 18.77 15.00 10.00 5.87% 4.29% 1.12% 7.93% 5.00 0.00 GP COG GED RSAT VOC Based on FY12 Releases
Variables Impacting Recidivism Rates RECIDIVISM RATES BY LAST TESTED EDUCATION GRADE 1-3.9 4-8.9 9-11.9 12+ 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 0 6 12 18 24 36 48 60 72 Months Since Release Florida Department of Corrections Recidivism Rates - May 2011 19
Rate of Recidivism 30 3 Year Recidivism by Category FY 08-FY12 27.07 26.71 26.70 25 20 22.28 22.31 21.58 21.12 18.99 26.56 26.26 22.63 22.03 22.41 22.26 21.79 20.83 18.77 17.60 15 16.56 13.75 16.84 10 9.35 8.50 8.50 7.57 5 0 FY 08 FY 09 FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 GP COG GED RSAT VOC FAITH BASED Releases
Educational Program Participation (February 2015) Academic Programs Literacy (LRR) 705 Adult Basic Education (ABE) Participants 2578 GED Prep 2223 GED Fast Track 122 Total 5,628 Career & Workbase Programs Vocational 1304 Participation OJT 1743 Total 3047 21
Politifact Georgia Truth-O-Meter
Charter High School Completions
Charter High Schools Charter School initiative for two new charter high school programs at Lee Arrendale State Prison (LASP) in Alto, Ga. and Burruss Correctional Center (TC) in Forsyth, Ga. January 2015 Mountain Education Charter (MEC) High School partnership ribbon cutting ceremony held July 23, 2015 first graduating class of MEC at LASP, 19 graduates earn High School diplomas First time in GDC history August 26, 2015 Foothills Charter High School classes begin at Burruss CTC 54 students enrolled September 17, 2015 Foothills ribbon cutting ceremony Burruss CTCf
Diesel Mechanic and Welding Completions Diesel Mechanic Welding 82 1 5 0 Welding programs now at Walker, Ware, and Lee State Prisons women welders coming soon!!! CY 2014 CY 2015 (to date)
First CDL Candidate Smith Transition Center Technical college presidents with CDL training programs state that there is a near 100% placement rating for program completers. GDC has partnered with Ogeechee Technical College and Wiregrass Technical College to provide training for Georgia inmates. More programs are anticipated in the future!
Diesel Truck Technicians & CDL http://www.walb.com/story/31169575/new-program-trains-inmates-to-keepthem-from-coming-back
100,000 Book Initiative Reading influences Who we become Literacy abilities Knowledge levels 35 Georgia facilities receive 3,000 books Partner with religious groups, schools, and corporations to provide inspirational, motivational, and educational materials suitable for inmate populations Major partners to date (100,000 + books) Current spokespersons & partners 28
Know Where You Are Going and Communicate It! Why are we doing this? What problem does this address? How is this new initiative a solution to a problem?
Human Impact of Correctional Education Education in the prison setting provides far more than a degree and lower recidivism rates...through its transformational powers, it provides for a socialization and self-actualization process that no other treatment program can offer. It allows offenders to better understand their self-worth and potential, and most often has offenders reaching out to their own children to encourage them to continue their education. Brian Fischer, Former Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections 30
Ongoing Challenges New GED Exam Revised cut scores!!!! Significantly reduced passing rates Computer administered exam CTAE teachers for specialized programs Adding technology to facilities not designed for its use Void of effective instructional technology Classroom space is an issue in some locations and continues to be addressed Insuring teacher effectiveness Expanding educational time by scheduling and other innovations Need to expand partnerships with TCSG and local technical colleges Pathways are limited to career programs Resistant cultures that exist among some inmates and some personnel 31
The Way Ahead GED Fast Track & Overall Emphasis on LRR, ABE, & GED Charter Schools Fully Operational Expansion of Vocation Educational Programs (Welding, Film Industry Technician, Horticulture, & Others) Expansion of College Programs (Emanuel, Johnson, & Rutledge) Evidence Based Facilities (Lee) Expansion of RSAT (Bleckley & Paulding) Juvenile Assessment and Programming GOAL (Jpay) Tablet Deployment - >5,000 Deployed Increased Leverage of Instructional Technology Lifers / Mentoring Programming
What Can We Do? Promote Literacy in Your Communities Volunteer (or Work) in the Correctional Education Setting Partner With a TC, DRC, or Other Correctional Organization