Alternative GED program proposed for federal prisons

The Bureau of Prisons wants to create alternative GED classes for inmates at federal facilities.  

The agency said alternative literacy programs would better serve inmates whose needs are not currently being met by the general educational development (GED) program and alleviate the growing demand for classes by shortening lengthy waiting lists. 

As of October 2010, 17,609 inmates were on waiting lists for GED classes — 11 percent of the Bureau’s prison population.

{mosads}The classes are popular because they are tied to credit for good conduct.

Inmates can earn time off their sentence for good behavior. But before the time is awarded, the Bureau of Prisons has to consider whether an inmate has earned or is making progress toward earning a high school diploma or equivalent degree. If inmates are not making satisfactory progress toward earning a degree, they can suffer negative consequences to their good conduct time. 

But for some inmates, like those who will be deported upon release, a U.S. GED is seemingly worthless. 

According to the Mexican Ministry of Education, neither the government nor employers accept GED certificates in Mexico. The Mexican Secundaria Program would be more appropriate. Alternative classes, the bureau said, would also help inmates who have learning disabilities or struggle intellectually. 

Current regulations now have forced those inmates to drop out of GED programs or receive an exemption for not showing progress in the class. Alternative classes would teach these inmates how to function successfully in society by teaching them life skills, the proposed rulemaking said. 

In allowing alternative classes, the Bureau of Prisons wants to also change the rules so inmates who participate can earn the same good conduct time benefits as an inmate working toward a GED.

The rule will exempt inmates who participate in authorized adult literacy programs from having to show “satisfactory progress” toward a degree, which is required by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and the Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 

It would also exempt inmates who are temporarily identified by staff as not being able to participate due to special circumstances like a medical condition from having to take a class altogether.  

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposed rule.