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Jail inmates earn GED certificates while behind bars

Albany Herald - 7/18/2018

July 18--ALBANY -- Two Dougherty County Jail inmates -- Jennifer Castleberry and Cody Jenkins -- joined 34 other former or current prisoners who have been awarded GEDs at the jail. The pair received their certificates Wednesday afternoon.

James Parker, an adjunct instructor of adult education at Albany Technical College, said the program has come a long way since it started in 2010.

"Very few of our graduates come back here; we have a very low recidivism rate," Parker said. "Not only do we help them obtain a high school diploma, we also teach them how to get a job and get back into society. Education is a ticket to a better life."

Parker said he enjoys working with the inmates because most want to make something of their lives.

"The worst part about this job is that were have limited contact with our students -- two days and three and a half hours per week," Parker said. "But most of our students look at it as a reward to be in the program."

Castleberry was beaming with pride as she accepted her certificate and said she was looking forward to her release so she could pursue her EMT certification at Albany Tech. She is the just the third woman to graduate from the program.

"We have a hard time working with the women because usually their stays are shorter than the men," Parker said.

Jenkins said when he got out he wanted to start his own landscaping company. His 6-year-old son, Eli, was on hand for the ceremony.

"This has been a long road for us," Jail Director John Ostrander said. "But we were fortunate to have partnered with Albany Tech. After (program participants) are released, they can continue their education."

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