Inmate Programs: Educational Services

The Department of Correctional Services has developed and maintains educational services to meet individual inmate needs. The educational programs are adult-oriented, providing individualized and group instruction in academic and life skills/pre-release classes.

Educational programming at all institutions (except NCCW) is currently being provided through a single contractual service agreement with Metropolitan Community College. At the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women, Metropolitan Community College provides life-skills programs while Department staff provide other educational programs. Programs are made available to all eligible inmates at a time when the majority can take advantage of the programs and, whenever possible, are designed to allow inmates to enter at any time and to proceed at a self-paced rate.

Educational services at each institution are typically delivered through a Learning Center which is staffed by a facilitator and instructional specialists. Learning Center staff work together as a team to provide an integrated program of educational offerings and services designed to provide individual inmates those specific educational opportunities most used and relevant to their futures. These options include assessment, literacy instruction, English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education/General Education Development (ABE/GED) courses, and life skills/pre-release courses. They are delivered in a variety of formats ranging from traditional classroom lecture/discussion, to individualized computer-assisted learning, tele-course instruction and courses presented via live interactive distance learning television. The Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) is used to test the achievement levels of inmates upon their entry into the ABE/GED program. Profiles of student achievement are available at all institutions, thus enabling educational staff to provide placement into appropriate programming for the students. The TABE is also administered periodically on an individual basis to assess progress.

Academic

The academic programs include Literacy, Adult Basic Education/General Education Development (ABE/GED) and English as a Second Language (ESL).

ABE classes (reading, mathematics, and written and oral communication) are developmental in content and structure. Classes are designed to strengthen skills of inmates who might lack the confidence to enroll in GED preparation courses. Special materials and strategies are used for those inmates who require special remediation in those areas or for whom English is not a first language. The English as a Second Language is offered for any student whose first language is other than English. Instruction is provided in reading, writing and speaking English.

Life Skills/Pre-Release

Life skills courses include Cognitive Thinking, Work Attitude and Behavior, Parenting, Relationships, Orientation to School and HIV-AIDS. These courses are offered throughout each quarter as enrollment demands. Generally, at least two courses are in progress at each site at any given time.

Pre-release courses include Seeking Employment, Money Management, Housing Information, Interpersonal Skills, Healthcare, and Community Resources on Parole. These courses are offered as needed and are intended for inmates within six (6) months of release. Pre-release provides a review of topics that may have been covered in other courses as well as new topics that relate directly to their upcoming release.

Special Education

Existing ABE staff currently serve Special Education students. Students are provided instruction based upon TABE assessments, this ensuring that instruction begins at the individual's current level of skill development. Individualized assistance is provided and tutorial assistance is utilized.

Educational Release Program

The Educational Release Program allows inmates to participate in educational opportunities not available within the confines of the secure institutions. Eligible inmates may enroll in various community vocational/technical schools, business and community colleges, other colleges and universities. Inmates on educational release are housed in the Department's community corrections centers.

Back to Inmate Programs

Back to Programs & Procedures