My press release noting our graduation at Halifax C.U. #23 last weekend, which coincided with my last day at the facility. I was very proud of our students that worked hard and finished their GED. It's all about continuing to make progress, no matter what mistakes you have made or what your situation in life is at any given time. As I said to the graduates last Friday, it is a step, and hopefully one of many. But it is a step and it's going in the right direction. The question is, what is your next step going to be?
There are critics out there who speak of offenders and say.."we should just lock them up and throw away the key." When it comes to people who commit the most unthinkable and heinous crimes, I understand what they mean. But one thing I have learned during my time teaching with the Department of Corrections is that some of the people behind bars realize what they did to get there, are
willing to serve their time, and just want to move on with their life while making the best of the time they have to serve with the state. Now I'm not overly empathetic by anybody's definition of the term, but even I can figure this one out. If the system suppresses, abuses, and doesn't attempt to rehabilitate the offenders within the correctional system, how do you think the offender is going to act when he/she is released and moving back on to YOUR street? People tend to forget that almost all offenders get released back into society. Just something to think about while I get off the soapbox.
Thirteen men who earned their GED (General Education Development) diplomas were recognized on Friday, March 21st, as Halifax Correctional Unit #23 hosted its annual graduation ceremony at the DOC’s Division of Education School building on its grounds.
The GED certificate is nationally recognized as the equivalent of a high school diploma. For the Virginia Department of Corrections, education is the key to reducing recidivism among offenders. Virginia currently ranks second in the nation for lowest recidivism rate, in comparison with data compiled by other states.
To earn the GED diploma, a student must complete six levels of adult basic education, which is measured by the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) exam. Upon earning a passing score on the highest level of the TABE exam, the student then qualifies for the GED examination by passing an Official Practice Test (OPT).
On January 1, 2014, the GED Testing Service initiated a new system which changed the content and format of the test. While the Department of Corrections received a temporary “waiver” because of the number of changes required to implement the new GED examination in a prison setting, they are in the process of transitioning from the old 2002 test to a computerized 2014 version.
Of the thirteen graduates, eight were present for the ceremony. The guest speaker was Mr. Andrew Beamon, new principal for the Nottoway region, which includes the Halifax #23 unit. Other distinguished guests from the Department of Corrections central office in Richmond were also in attendance.
There are critics out there who speak of offenders and say.."we should just lock them up and throw away the key." When it comes to people who commit the most unthinkable and heinous crimes, I understand what they mean. But one thing I have learned during my time teaching with the Department of Corrections is that some of the people behind bars realize what they did to get there, are
willing to serve their time, and just want to move on with their life while making the best of the time they have to serve with the state. Now I'm not overly empathetic by anybody's definition of the term, but even I can figure this one out. If the system suppresses, abuses, and doesn't attempt to rehabilitate the offenders within the correctional system, how do you think the offender is going to act when he/she is released and moving back on to YOUR street? People tend to forget that almost all offenders get released back into society. Just something to think about while I get off the soapbox.
Thirteen men who earned their GED (General Education Development) diplomas were recognized on Friday, March 21st, as Halifax Correctional Unit #23 hosted its annual graduation ceremony at the DOC’s Division of Education School building on its grounds.
The GED certificate is nationally recognized as the equivalent of a high school diploma. For the Virginia Department of Corrections, education is the key to reducing recidivism among offenders. Virginia currently ranks second in the nation for lowest recidivism rate, in comparison with data compiled by other states.
To earn the GED diploma, a student must complete six levels of adult basic education, which is measured by the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) exam. Upon earning a passing score on the highest level of the TABE exam, the student then qualifies for the GED examination by passing an Official Practice Test (OPT).
On January 1, 2014, the GED Testing Service initiated a new system which changed the content and format of the test. While the Department of Corrections received a temporary “waiver” because of the number of changes required to implement the new GED examination in a prison setting, they are in the process of transitioning from the old 2002 test to a computerized 2014 version.
Of the thirteen graduates, eight were present for the ceremony. The guest speaker was Mr. Andrew Beamon, new principal for the Nottoway region, which includes the Halifax #23 unit. Other distinguished guests from the Department of Corrections central office in Richmond were also in attendance.