INMATE POPULATION EDUCATION NEEDS
INMATE EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING ENROLLMENT
ADJUDICATED MINORS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION

The Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) provides educational services to prison inmates in areas of (1) functional literacy, (2) GED preparation, and (3) skill based vocational training. In addition, pursuant to A.R.S. '15-1372 and Federal Statute Regulations (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), ADC provides educational services to minors adjudicated as adults and sentenced to prison, as well as special education services to inmates under 22 years of age and presenting disabilities which impede their progress in standard correctional education classrooms.

General information and FY 1999 year-to-date data concerning educational programs provided to ADC inmates reveal the following information:

There are a total of 143 certified education positions providing services to inmates incarcerated within ADC. A total Of 121 academic classroom teachers provide services in areas of functional literacy and GED preparation. The remaining 22 positions provide supervision and professional support services in special education areas.

The current inmate population of ADC distributed among 10 ADC prison complexes and 3 private prisons statewide is approximately 25,700.

INMATE POPULATION EDUCATION NEEDS

At this point in time, there are approximately 14,360 inmates assessed as needing some type of educational service in areas of functional literacy, GED preparation, and vocational training.

There are approximately 7,467 inmates within ADC who score below the 8' grade equivalency level in academic areas of reading, language, and mathematical skills, who are in need of Functional Literacy programming.

The number of inmates who have achieved 8' grade literacy and need a GED is 3,810.

There is a Vocational Educational need established for 3,083 inmates who have achieved a High School Diploma or GED, but have no identifiable work skills to make them employable upon release.

INMATE EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING ENROLLMENT

End of month enrollment as of December 31, 1998 in all educational programs was 4,138.

There were 1,088 inmates involved in Functional Literacy education.

There were 1,077 inmates involved in the GED program.

There were 1,973 inmates involved in one of 63 Vocational Programs within the ADC prison system.

 A total of 1,947 inmates have achieved the 8 th grade functional literacy standard through ADC literacy education programs between July 1, 1998 and December 31, 1998.

A total of 521 inmates have attained a GED through ADC GED preparation instruction between July 1, 1998 and December 31, 1998.

A total of 423 inmates have attained a vocational training certificate as of December 3 1, 1998.

There are a number of inmates that continue in education, until such time as they attain a certificate, are reclassified to another program, released or are moved to another institution.

Inmates, who do not have an academic or vocational training need as assessed upon entry to ADC custody, or have completed these programming needs as established by ADC, are working in jobs full time or half time with additional programming in areas of Substance Abuse Treatment, etc. As of December 31, 1998 there were 17,836 inmates with work assignments (does not include those inmates in vocational training).

ADJUDICATED MINORS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION

For inmates receiving services pursuant to A.R.S. ' 15-1372 as adult adjudicated minors or inmates under 22 years of age with disabilities the potential total population to be screened and potentially served is noted to be 2,286 inmates as of December 31, 1998. The following activities are reported for the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 1999:

Adjudicated Minors

A total of 226 adjudicated minors received education services in areas of functional literacy and GED preparation.

Special Education For Inmates Under Age 22 With Disabilities

A total of 2,072 inmates [which includes 226 minors] received initial screens for special education services.

A total of 343 inmates [which includes 27 minors] were assessed through multi-disciplinary teams for consideration of special education accommodations.

A total of 62 inmates [which includes 27 minors] are currently receiving special education services under an existing Individual Education Plan (IEP).

The Department is currently conducting a complete analysis of the entire inmate population in terms of educational levels of attainment. The results of this analysis shall serve as a basis for the development of an incentive system integrating inmate job eligibility, incentive pay and privileges with participation in education programs.

 

 

 

 

Updated on August 05, 1999