Inmates at the Hillsdale County Jail will gain the opportunity to earn General Equivalency Diplomas as part of a new educational program that begins on March 1.
Hillsdale County Sheriff Scott Hodshire hoped to give this opportunity to inmates since his election.
“During my campaigning for sheriff, I knew we had to do some rehabilitation,” Hodshire said. “Not only are we seeing the same people here, but we’re also starting to see their children. We need to break that chain.”
The program allows inmates access to a full range of adult education services offered through the state-funded program Michigan Works! Southeast. According to Hodshire, inmates will soon have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma from Hillsdale High School, while also accessing various career services.
Executive director of Michigan Works! Southeast, Shamar Herron, said the team is looking forward to helping inmates create long-term plans to achieve their career goals.
“Lifelong learning is one of our agency’s core values, which ties perfectly with this collaboration,” Herron said. “We are excited to afford this opportunity to residents that are currently in the Hillsdale County Jail as a way to increase their skill sets and earn their high-school completion certificates.”
Hodshire said the program will require long-term commitment from participating inmates.
“We have to give the incarcerated individuals the opportunity to better themselves,” Hodshire said.
Hodshire said he had been waiting to partner with Michigan Works! for a long time. The partnership was in the works for about a year, Hodshire said, until COVID-19 put everything on hold.
“It’s always been a top priority for me. It was just waiting for the right time and opportunity to take place,” Hodshire said.
Nicole Bell, communications manager of Michigan Works! Southeast said the program will use one of Michigan Works! Mobile One-Stop Centers, a mobile training bus, on Tuesdays and Thursdays for classes. The bus gives inmates access to technology and resources necessary to complete their education. Hodshire said all the jail will be required to provide power for the bus.
Ultimately, Bell said, this program provides more than just the opportunity for an education.
“After completing their educational credentials,” Bell said, “our dedicated team members will continue working with them on creating and following a career path and creating connections to a better future.”
