Allen Overstreet Bureau of Re-Entry Programs & Education Correctional Education Overview of Services

Correctional Education Impact on Recidivism Releasees who had a GED recidivated 7.9% less than inmates overall. Releasees who had a Vocational Certificate recidivated 14% less than inmates overall. Releasees who had a GED and a Vocational Certificate recidivated 18.3% less than inmates overall.

Correctional Education Return on Investment for Crime Victims & Tax Payers 4 national studies on recidivism indicate that crime victims and tax payers realize a $12.09 return on investment for every dollar expended on adult and post-secondary education. 17 national studies on recidivism indicate that crime victims and tax payers realize a $12.62 return on investment for every dollar expended on vocational education.

Correctional Education 381 permanent, 10 temporary & 19 contract positions Total budget for FY :$23,970,843 Federal Grants: $6,840,800 –ABE, Title I, Title II, IDEA, Perkins & Specter –84% of grant funds are expended on staff –88 education positions are federal grant funded All institutional education administrators and teachers are certified

Correctional Education Inmates are administered the Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) during reception Inmates under 22 years of age are screened for special education history during reception Inmates are assessed for vocational training needs during reception The median educational level achieved by Inmates administered TABEs was Grade 6.9

Adult Education Populations With Priority Needs Adults within 3 years of release and do not have GEDs Youthful offenders who do not have GEDs Exceptional Students who do not have HSDs Inmates scoring below 6 th grade on the TABE

Adult Education Adult & Special Education Programs –Operating in 21 correctional facilities –Provide special education services in accordance with IEPs Inmate Teaching Assistant (ITA) Programs –Operating in 26 correctional facilities –ITAs must complete a training program Quarterly TABE, PreGED (OPT) & GED testing

Adult Education Close Management Programs –Programs operating at 5 correctional facilities –Cell-front and/or small group instruction –Students visited by academic teacher biweekly Local Education Agency-Operated Programs –Programs operated by school districts or state colleges –Programs operating at 10 correctional facilities No State-funded Post-Secondary Programs

Vocational Education Populations With Priority Needs Adults within 3 years of release who lack occupational skills and/or a work history Youthful offenders and Exceptional Students

Vocational Education Department-Operated Programs –84 programs covering 33 occupational trades –Operating in 36 institutions –Courses taught by certified Vocational Teachers –Programs utilize Florida Department of Education approved curriculum frameworks Basic literacy skills proficiency required for most students

Vocational Education Specter Grant Program Federal grant funded program Courses must be conducted by accredited post- secondary institutions Participants must be under 36 years and have a high school diploma or GED Courses conducted at 9 correctional facilities in 5 occupational trades

Educational Achievements

Correctional Education 70.6% of the FY releasees recommended to participate in Adult Education did not get enrolled. 78.9% of the FY releasees recommended to participate in Vocational Education did not get enrolled.

Correctional Education Ongoing & Future Initiatives Utilize CINAS / AIRS to determine inmate needs for programming and access Establish Adult Education Programs in all correctional institutions Expand ESOL Programs

Correctional Education Ongoing & Future Initiatives Explore use of 1/4-time assignments in Adult Education Increase the number of volunteer literacy programs at work camps, road prisons, etc. Establish GED-level programming at Work Release Centers

Correctional Education Ongoing & Future Initiatives Expand the Ready To Work initiative Work with partner institutions to expand special education services Conduct a comprehensive review of the departments vocational education program