Officials at the Alachua County Jail are hoping a little education could go a long way in encouraging inmates to pursue degrees.
Since the beginning of the year, 41 of the jail's inmates have passed the General Education Development test, almost double the 22 inmates who passed in 2007, according to an Alachua County Sheriff's Department news release. In 2006, 15 inmates passed.
Officials believe the increase in passing rates is motivating more inmates to enroll in GED preparation courses.
Eugene Morris, the bureau chief of inmate programs and services, said his department has stressed the importance of education since he took his position in January.
Morris said he tells all inmates that education can decrease their chances of being incarcerated again.
"It's a golden opportunity and second chance," he said. "I think our inmates are starting to see how much a little education can improve their lives."
All inmates who test below a ninth-grade level in reading, writing or math are eligible to attend GED classes and take the test through a partnership between the jail and the Alachua County School Board, the news release stated.
In 2008, inmates tested at an average of a fourth-grade level.
Leanne Lawrence, a GED instructor at the jail, said with more inmates earning GEDs than the previous two years combined, her students are more motivated and eager to learn. Many of the inmates' personal discussions have shifted from money and relationships to education and grades, she said.
"Their excitement is contagious," Lawrence said. "Many inmates are fighting to get into my class to study fractions or reading comprehension."
Lawrence said the she tries to teach the most important information quickly because some of her students are incarcerated only 40 to 60 days.
She structures the course to focus on the most common types of test questions, such as percentages and basic reading skills, she said.
Lawrence recalled one inmate nicknamed Willy who enrolled in her course at a third-grade math level. After a few weeks of studying, he scored a 550 on the GED math section. A 410 out of 800 is required to pass.
He was so thrilled that he ran into her classroom, picked her up and tried to spin her around, she said.
"The test has become more of a privilege and challenge around the jail," Lawrence said.
"Everyone wants to see if they've got what it takes to pass."
