17 Wilson County inmates have earned their High School Equivalency (HSE) Diplomas through a collaboration between the Wilson County Jail and the Wilson County School鈥檚 Adult Learning Center.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very moving that you have people that鈥檙e incarcerated that take the initiative to better themselves in the situation that they鈥檙e in,鈥 Wilson County Sheriff鈥檚 Office Public Information Officer Scott Moore said. 鈥淲hat they鈥檝e done is very important upon reentry back into the community and gives them an opportunity to hopefully get a job somewhere that they can support themselves as well as their families.鈥
Moore said that a few members of the most recent class of inmates to earn their diplomas have already been released from the Wilson County Jail.
鈥淲e鈥檝e all had second chances on things in life and this just gives them a second chance to go out and do well and start a career,鈥 Moore said.
The process the inmates go through to earn their HSE Diplomas begins with an orientation and entrance exam, which assesses their basic math and reading skills. After the entrance exam, preparation begins for the HSE exam and participants are enrolled in reading, science, language arts, social studies and math courses.
The sherif鈥檚 office hopes that the program will reduce recidivism in Wilson County.
鈥淭he biggest issue that any jail runs into is the recidivism rate and it鈥檚 usually pretty high in every community,鈥 Moore said. 鈥淥ne thing that we want to reduce is repeat offenders so that they can be productive in their respective communities.鈥
In addition to the HSE Diploma program, the Adult Learning Center also introduced its 鈥淢oving Forward鈥 initiative last year.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 designed to equip these inmates with life skills for re-entry back into society,鈥 Moore said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 people out there that don鈥檛 know how to interview for a job. Believe it or not, there鈥檚 a lot of people out there who don鈥檛 know how to fill out a check. There鈥檚 stuff out there that鈥檚 very essential for them to put themselves in the best possible position that they can.鈥
A statement from Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan was shared via the sheriff鈥檚 office social media.
鈥淓ducation is a powerful tool for transformation,鈥 Bryan said. 鈥淏y equipping these individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, we are giving them the opportunity to make better choices and lead productive lives once they return to our community. I am proud of their hard work and dedication.鈥
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