OFFENDER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Contact: Mike Paris
Department of Corrections
7345 Linderson Way, S.W.
P.O. Box 46504
Tumwater, WA 98501-6504
Telephone: 360.725.8689
E-mail: mjparis@doc1.wa.gov

Contact: Shash Woods
State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
P. O. Box 42495
Olympia, WA 98504-2495
Telephone: 206.276.3745
E-mail: swoods@sbctc.edu

State Websites: http://www.doc.wa.gov/aboutdoc/docs/p351ecorreducationsinglesheet.pdf

http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/college/e_correctionsed.aspx

Participation: 6,262 participants of Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language were served by the Offender Education Program between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. System total headcount, where each student is only counted once regardless of participation in multiple programs or sites, was 11,414.

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, English as a Second Language, 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, construction trades, and many other areas. Standardized offender change programs include Stress and Anger Management, Getting it Right and Workforce Readiness.

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 Stress and Anger Management programs. Offender Employment Services provides Workforce Readiness and Getting it Right programs. DOC also provides pre-apprentice opportunities.

Planning Cycle: Annual contract selection.

Outcome Measures: DOC has two objectives for offender education in fiscal year 2010.

• Increase the number of offenders who complete a GED battery to a minimum of 1,308.
• Increase the number of offenders who complete vocational training programs to a minimum of 1,100 completions.

Funding: 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: $17,592,220 (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010)

Federal Funding: None.

Statutory Authority: State ESSB 6157.