Hi everyone, I am new to the forum and I need help. I am a teacher in grad school and I am writing a research proposal on the affects of education on prison recidivism. As I cannot get clearence to speak to anyone at the prison here, I am asking for people that have taken classes in prison to help me answer some questions. I will post some questions today if anyone is willing to help! (or link me to a post that has interview questions!)
Thanks so much all!

My son is in minimum security prison in NC. He has been accepted for study release and will start a three semester diploma HVAC program with the goal of eventually owning his own business. NC has only 5 slots that I know of in the entire system for study release. The inmate who is completing his college is getting a bachelor's degree, but we felt our son would do better when he gets released if he has a trade that will eventually lead to self-employment. Until recently, there were six slots, and one inmate brought drugs back to camp and ended it at that camp that USED to offer study release. If I can be of help, please PM me.
Kay

Indiana has a fairly extensive educational program in the prisons. It is possible to get the GED, associate's degree, and bachelor's degree either by college courses offered by cooperating institutions, or by correspondence. If you want more information, PM me. If I know your questions I might be able to ask them for you to some inmates.

I have been doing research on job opportunities available to ex-felons, so we may have overlapping projects.

Ohio has quite a few courses for both trades and college classes. However, they willonly let people who have less that 5 years remainingon their sentence to take the classes. There are very long waiting lists for those classes and halfof the time mid-way through, the class is cancelled for some reason. I do have a friend who has takens a couple of these couses and would be happy to answer your questions.

Federal prisons have GED programs. My hubby is at FMC Lexington, and they have classes in horticulture, leatherworking, woodworking, etc, but nothing along the lines of college-credit type courses.
Since he's gone in, my husband has learned how to make meth (learned, hasn't actually and would never, do it), he's learned how make prison hootch, and he's learned how to give tattoos. Not really along the lines as transferable skills, huh?