Jail Inmates Receive High School Equivalency Diploma's

June 09, 2008
Contact: Elise Schaffer, PIO Phone: (608) 284-6142 Email: schaffer@co.dane.wi.us
Sheriff's Office

On Tuesday, June 10th at 7:00 pm, approximately 100 students of the Madison Area Technical College, College Preparedness and Academic Advancement Center will attend the 16th Annual High School Completion Recognition Ceremony. Of those 100 students, approximately 20 of them accomplished this milestone despite the odds against them, as they did so while serving Dane County Jail sentences. On August 1, 2007, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office entered into a contract with MATC to provide GED education and testing services to inmates in the jail. MATC currently has five instructors teaching a total of 32 hours per week in the jail, and over 250 students have voluntarily participated in the program. The program is made possible thanks to a $33,300 grant from United Way. Dane County covers an additional $19,000 of the programs funding including testing costs, making it a cost free service available to inmates of the Dane County Jail. Beyond the students that have graduated, twelve students have prepared for post secondary programs and internships at MATC. “Educational classes are just one of many opportunities offered to inmates of the Dane County Jail to help them return to the community in a better position to succeed. I personally want to congratulate these graduates on their educational accomplishment, and I challenge them to continue their positive progress as they return to main stream society,” said Sheriff David Mahoney. The ceremony will be held in the Mitby Theater at the MATC Truax Campus, with a reception in the cafeteria following the program. ###