OFFENDER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Contact: Mike Paris
Department of Corrections
7345 Linderson Way, S.W.
Tumwater, WA 98501-6504
Telephone: 360.725.8211
E-mail: mjparis@doc1.wa.gov

Contact: Kathy Goebel
State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
P. O. Box 42495
Olympia, WA  98504-2495
Telephone: 360.704.4359
E-mail: kgoebel@sbctc.edu

State Websites: http://www.doc.wa.gov/family/offenderlife/education.asp
http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/college/e_correctionsed.aspx

Participation: The Offender Education Program had 5,859 enrollments between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007.

Who is Served: Educational programs are available to all offenders in 15 correctional facilities. The Department of Corrections (DOC) also educates offenders under the age of 22 who do not have a high school diploma or GED certificate, and offenders who have literacy scores lower than ninth grade. Career and technical education programs are available to offenders with limited employment and work histories.

Program Description: The mission of the program is to provide offenders, under the supervision of DOC, with appropriate educational opportunities to increase knowledge, skills, and abilities to function effectively while incarcerated and upon release. Programs address a broad rage of offender needs, including Adult Basic Education, vocational skills training, and offender change programs.

Other Program Characteristics: DOC offers a variety of educational programs by coordinating the delivery of services. Primary education providers are local community colleges. DOC has standardized vocational skills training programs in information technology, welding, building maintenance, interactive media, electronics, and many other areas. Standardized offender change programs include Stress and Anger Management, Partners in Parenting, Getting it Right and Job Hunter.

Program History: DOC contracts with two state agencies and several private/not for profit organizations to provide offender education services. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges subcontracts with community colleges to provide basic skills, vocational skills training, and Partners in Parenting programs. Offender Employment Services provides a Job Hunter, Job Hunter X and Getting it Right programs. Stress and anger management is provided through the Mental Health Division, and pre-apprentice carpentry is also provided.

Planning Cycle: Annual contract selection.

Outcome Measures: DOC has two objectives for offender education in fiscal year 2008.

• Increase the number of offenders who complete a GED battery to a minimum of 1,296.
• Increase the number of offenders who complete vocational training programs to a minimum of 270.

Funding and Regional Division: DOC is comprised of three regions. Statewide oversight of education is provided by the educational services administrator. The administrator works collaboratively with all contractors to develop a model of service delivery based on offender needs, including a menu of appropriate programs for the system.

State Funding: $16,849,000 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008)

Federal Funding: $335,000 (October 1, 2007-September 30, 2008) Grant to States for Workforce and Community Transition Training for Incarcerated Youth Offenders Program.

Statutory Authority: State ESSB 6157.