Turning inmates into students: KCTCS awards 4,460 GEDs over 5 years

Published on Oct 24, 2024

(VERSAILLES, Ky.) — 4,460.

That’s the number of incarcerated individuals who earned a GED through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System from 2020-2024.

And during the same period, enrollments in the GED prep classes, taught by the colleges’ adult education instructors, grew to 14,441.

“When we say KCTCS is education for all, that’s exactly what we mean. Supporting those who lack a high school diploma is a key priority for our state and workforce,” said KCTCS President Ryan Quarles.

“Everyone benefits if these individuals reenter our communities and the workforce with a credential that will help them build better lives for themselves and their families,” added Quarles, who was recently appointed to the Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers.

According to published studies, education not only benefits inmates, but it also produces societal benefits, such as lowering rates of recidivism when they are released, said Maggie Price, director of student success at Maysville Community and Technical College.

“There are many reasons to offer educational opportunities to incarcerated people. Allowing people to earn an education instills a sense of pride. I was always told, ‘no one can take your education away.’’’ she said.

Price, who wrote her dissertation on correctional education, sees it as a duty to ensure educational opportunities for all.

“Many people who are incarcerated will be released one day, and they will be our neighbors. We want our neighbors to be educated and involved in enhancing our communities.

“Research supports these reasons as well. We are seeing more studies being published stating people are less likely to reoffend when they participate in educational programs during incarceration,” said Price.

Fourteen KCTCS colleges are service providers for Kentucky Adult Education, the state agency that administers the GED program. Classes are held at county jails and prisons.

Cristina Marsh, adult education director for Jefferson Community and Technical College, says it might take time for inmates to get motivated to attend classes and work on their education, but once they do, they become very engaged with learning.

“They feel good about being able to improve their education and earning their GED. Students report feeling better about themselves knowing that they are capable of learning and gaining educational skills that will assist them in becoming employable once released,” said Marsh.

Cynthia McGaha is the director of adult education for Somerset Community College, one of two colleges recently recognized by KYAE for achieving all performance targets last year.

“The GED program helps students set goals and teaches them the amount of work it takes to achieve it,” McGaha said.

Even if inmates are serving longer sentences, McGaha said they still may want their GED to set a good example for someone in their lives.

When asked what people in the Somerset community think about inmate education, she said they probably don’t think about it.

“But once our instructors tell them what their jobs are, people will say ‘that is a very good thing that you do,’” she added.

KYAE offers the GED for free through their contracted providers including the 14 KCTCS colleges. Visit their website to find a program in your area.