Sometimes it takes a bad situation to produce an even better outcome. That’s what happened for seven inmates at the Prince George’s Department of Corrections who recently earned their high school diplomas through the state’s diploma program.
The graduates received their diplomas at a formal commencement ceremony held at the correctional center in Upper Marlboro on July 14.
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“I’m always pleased to see our residents who have worked hard to earn a high school diploma while they’re here succeeding,” said Interim Corrections Director Mary Lou McDonough in a statement. “Studies have shown that earning their high school diploma makes it less likely they’ll be incarcerated in the future.”
The correctional facility houses about 1,330 inmates, and most don’t have high school diplomas, said department of corrections spokeswoman Vicki Duncan. She said 36 inmates have earned diplomas since the first of the year.
Inmates who haven’t earned a diploma prior to incarceration are asked to apply for the education program. While in the program, students are housed in an education unit where they receive diagnostic testing, tutoring, test preparation, counseling and instruction.
When the education staff believes the student is ready to sit for the examination, the inmate is scheduled to take the next test. Officials say the county’s department of corrections has enjoyed one of the highest passing percentages among correctional institutions in Maryland.
“It gives them a leg up when they get out of here looking for jobs,” said Duncan. “They have a handicap because they were here, but they can offset that by saying look at the positive thing I did while I was there. And by having a good job they will be less likely to commit a crime and come back.”
--PGS Staff
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