In January of 2020, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Waubonsee Community College to provide adult education instructional services to individuals incarcerated at the Kendall County Jail.

 

This program is funded by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and its focus is to provide instructional services to incarcerated individuals to facilitate their successful completion of the High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma in the state of Illinois. The goal is to provide educational opportunities for inmates to overcome barriers and reduce recidivism. Inmates enrolled in the course meet for three hours, two times each week. The course uses a blended learning format, which encompasses both tablet-based and classroom learning, to prepare for the HSE exam. Participants also receive educational transition services that inform them about college and career opportunities, and how to achieve the necessary credentials to gain employment in desired fields.

Five individuals successfully completed the program and Waubonsee Dean of Adult Education Adam Schauer conducted the graduation ceremony in our indoor recreation room.

 

“I am proud of this ongoing partnership which is focused on providing the skillsets and support necessary to prepare these individuals to effectively reintegrate into society. This program was developed to reduce recidivism, which is a key mission we strive to achieve by implementing this program and other similar programs here at the Kendall County Jail,” said Sheriff Dwight Baird.

 

Researchers have found that individuals who participate in correctional education programs have 43 percent lower odds of returning to prison than those who do not. Employment after release was 13 percent higher among inmates who participated in either academic or vocational education programs than those who did not. (1)

 

(1) Evaluating the Effectiveness of Correctional Education: A Meta-Analysis of Programs That Provide Education to Incarcerated Adults. 2013