Education inside a correctional facility is one of the most powerful tools available for both sentence reduction and successful reentry. Federal inmates who complete approved programs earn time credits under the First Step Act. State inmates who complete educational programming often earn good time credits. And inmates who leave with a GED, college degree, or vocational certification have dramatically better employment prospects than those who do not. This section covers GED and high school equivalency programs available inside, college correspondence courses and in-person programs, vocational training options across different facility types, how the Pell Grant restoration in 2023 changed the financial picture for incarcerated students, and how to enroll in programs from inside. The questions answered here come from families trying to help their loved ones use their time productively and from inmates looking to build credentials that will serve them after release. See also our sections on Sentence Reduction and Re-entry and Rehabilitation.
Subject: Education & vocational training
Yes, your inmate will get a Certificate of Completion. He can arrange for this to be copied and mailed to his attorney. If you want to try and expedite the process, call the facility and ask to speak with the C.O. in charge of education. They might send it to you directly.
Subject: Education & vocational training
Most of the state and federal facilities offer courses of various foreign languages through Rosetta Stone computer programs. There are banks of non-internet computers that are available in the education department for inmates to improve their skills and vocation.
Subject: Education & vocational training
No, there are no flying certifications available to inmates
Subject: Education & vocational training
It depends on the institution. Most offer or require inmates get their GED equivalent. Some have decent vocational training. But, one of the biggest deficiencies in the prison system generally is the lack of under-graduation education. We think that the inmates should be prepared by the institutions for release and re-entry into society with better preparation to enter the job market. This is something that is on the InmateAid agenda going forward.
Subject: Education & vocational training
Educational programs vary by facility type and system, but most prisons and jails offer some level of continuing education. The GED is the most universally available program across federal, state, and county facilities. Inmates who do not have a high school diploma are often encouraged or in some cases required to work toward it. Beyond the GED, many facilities offer vocational training programs that lead to certifiable trade skills in areas like plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, carpentry, welding, culinary arts,...
Read moreSubject: Education & vocational training
Standard continuing education courses completed at a federal prison camp like Montgomery FPC do not directly reduce your sentence the way some people expect. Completing GED programs, vocational training, or college coursework is genuinely valuable and looks good on paper for case manager reviews and halfway house recommendations, but it does not generate the kind of formal sentence reduction that comes from specific designated programs.
The one program in the federal system that produces a concrete sentence reduction is RDAP, the...
Read moreSubject: Education & vocational training
The prisons do not provide the courses, they will have to be provided by someone on the outside. The prison education department proxies the testing for the universities that provide "distance learning". There are several available and they don't have to be located in Ohio.
Louisiana State University (LSU) is one of the best and most widely used programs in the prisons. But, you pay for the course load "by the hour" and the books just like you would if he...
Read moreSubject: Education & vocational training
Yes. Non-citizen inmates have access to mandatory GED classes and can earn a high school diploma while incarcerated. University-level courses are also available but require outside funding. Many inmates use their time wisely and leave with advanced degrees regardless of citizenship status.
Subject: Education & vocational training
Education programs inside correctional facilities cover a broader range than most people expect, and participation in them is one of the most impactful things an inmate can do with their time. Research consistently shows that inmates who participate in education programs are significantly less likely to return to prison after release.
At the foundational level, GED preparation and adult basic education are available at virtually every facility. For inmates who did not complete high school, earning a GED during incarceration is...
Read moreSubject: Education & vocational training
Criminal charges supersede high school attendance. Missing the sophomore year is a consequence of the choices that led to incarceration, not a decision the facility makes. GED courses are available inside, allowing inmates to stay on track to graduate if they choose to. Incarceration does not have to mean the end of educational progress. Most facilities offer GED courses and basic education programs specifically designed to keep younger inmates on a path toward a diploma equivalent. For a 15 or 16-year-old...
Read more