From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

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For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: October 5, 2007

Contact: Jamie Russell, Lieutenant
541-265-4922, jrussell@co.lincoln.or.us

GED program for incarcerated inmates

Sheriff Dotson is pleased to announce that through a Federal Workforce Investment Act grant received by Oregon Coast Community College, incarcerated inmates are able to work towards, and in some cases receive their GED while serving time in jail.

From September 2006 through June 2007, 65 inmates received educational services provided through this grant funded program. Of those numbers, 19 stayed at least 12 hours and qualified for federal reporting, 5 completed one academic skill level, 4 passed 1-4 sections of the GED program (5 sections required to receive GED), and 5 inmates successfully completed and received their GED while remaining incarcerated. Because the average length of stay is less than two weeks, a wide number of inmates are not incarcerated long enough to make it through all the studies and testing required for this process. Oregon Coast Community College offers follow-up services for these individuals, which allows them to take the remaining sections and final tests when they are released from custody.

"The GED program is but one of many programs provided to inmates. Other programs include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Prison Fellowship and other religious services," stated Sheriff Dotson. The Sheriff’s Office employs a full-time alcohol and drug counselor who provides A&D counseling to inmates in addition to some limited mental health services.

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