Rural Jail Post-Secondary Transition

Genesee Community College is embarking on new, yet familiar territory with this program (Rural Jail Post-Secondary Transition). Genesee Community College, a State University of New York community college has 30 years experience with outreach education in correctional institutions. Due to a provision in the 1994 Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act regarding financial aid onsite classes were discontinued in the prisons.

Now with a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Life Skills for State and Local Prisoners Program, Genesee Community College, in collaboration with five local county jails (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Allegany and Wyoming) is once again offering college courses to inmates. However, this time we are working with inmates in Rural jails with 90 plus days to serve.

Inmates in the above listed county jails are eligible for this program if they have a GED or High School Diploma or IEP equivalent and are recommended by the facility authorities or facility BOCES educators. Participating inmates are responsible for payment of Tuition, books and fees these are not paid for by this grant. Financial aid assistance can be discussed with the Jail Liaison.

Program Process

  1. Referral made to the Jail Liaison by facility Jail Superintendents or BOCES educators.
  2. Jail Liaison sets up meeting with inmate to conduct a survey and rubric assessment.
  3. Jail Liaison sets up time for placement testing and Inmate takes the ASSET placement test.
  4. Jail Liaison mails Letter with suggested class placements to the inmate at the Jail address, scores from ASSET test to Inmate.
  5. Jail Liaison sets up meeting with inmate to register inmate and collect tuition payment in full from inmate. Inmate is then given access by jail to the College Course Learning Modules.
  6. Inmate takes self-directed course.

Services

  • Non-Credit Self-Study Developmental College Courses
  • Tutor Assistance
  • Liaison between student and professors
  • Registration Assistance
  • Possible Tuition Assistance
  • Prepare for Credit Courses via CLEP Exam

Inmate College Level Courses Offered

  • Career and Educational Planning
  • Beginning Math, Equivalent to Basic Math Skills
  • Beginning Algebra, Equivalent to Algebra I
  • Beginning English, Equivalent to Grammar & Paragraph Mastery
  • Beginning Composition, Equivalent to Introduction to Composition
  • Beginning Communications, Equivalent to English 101
  • Beginning Reading, Equivalent to Reading 091
  • Intermediate Reading, Equivalent to Reading 101
  • Keyboarding for Beginners, Prerequisite for various computer courses.
  • Basic Computer Concepts, Equivalent to Computer Applications CIS 102
  • Accounting in Finances, Equivalent to Accounting 101