The History of the El Centro College Jail Education Program

Since 1973 the Dallas County Sheriff's Department (SD), established a partnership
with El Centre College (ECC) to offer classes to inmates at the Dallas County Jails.
Throughout the contract years, classes have included a range of study including art,
math, office technology, social sciences, developmental studies, keyboarding,
computer sciences, and human development. Classes are offered to inmates who
voluntarily request to enroll. Approximately 12.5% of the total jail population enroll in
ECC's college credit courses.

The SD maintains responsibility for the budget, which pays for exclusively for
students' tuition. El Centre administers the program, provides the instructors and
coursework.

Starting in 1996, ECC opened a computer lab at the Lew Sterrett North Tower in
order to offer computer science and office technology classes for inmates. During
that time older model computers (80/88s) were gathered from excess equipment for
Jail Program use. As the success of the program has grown, the Jail Education
Program has been able to slowly upgrade to 486 computers through donations and
excessed equipment throughout the Dallas County Community College District. The
program success has lead to the opening of a second computer lab in the North
Tower to accommodate students, curriculum designs, and expand the range of
courses offered.

The Dallas Public Schools Adult Basic Education (ABE) has long been a part
educational program at the Dallas County Jails. Through coordinated efforts with the
SD, ABE, and ECC eight Pentium computers are now installed in the 4E lab, and that
number is expected to double this year.

The goal of the Jail Education Program is to provide opportunities for inmates to
begin educational rehabilitation during incarceration. Education, drug treatment, and
employment are the key factors that influence recidivism rates, whether or not an
inmate will return to incarceration. Development of computer skills helps the students
be prepared to enter the workforce.

Journal of Correctional Education, 9/1992

"...Gaither conducted an in-house evaluation of Texas Department of Corrections college programs

and concluded: 'participation in the junior college program definitely results in lower recidivism rates'."

Corrections Today, 2/1/93
...40% of inmates do not have a consistent employment history before incarceration...

... inmates need to learn job skills and develop thinking strategies that will help them avoid committing
crimes.

Between 1985 and 2000, 71% new jobs developed will require skills associated with post-high school
preparation..."