ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KLFY)– Inmates in the St. Landry Parish Jail are given an opportunity to earn their G.E.D. while behind bars, one inmate says she did it for her children.
In 2015, the St. Landry Parish Jail booked 4,753 Inmates. In a news release, Major Eddie Thibodeaux explains to KLFY that each inmate in the St. Landry Parish Jail deserves a chance at rehabilitation.
While behind bars inmates have the option to participate in programs that can help better their lives when they get out.
One inmate in the program wrote in a thank you letter to the HiSET program, that she was given the life-changing opportunity to earn her G.E.D. while incarcerated, “I wanted to do this not only to allow myself more opportunities in life, but also to be a better role model for my children.”
In the letter, she explains how she wants her children to understand the importance of earning their education.
Thibodeaux says the programs are there to help inmates defeat alcohol, drugs and gambling addictions. According to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, each inmate is offered a chance to participate in the HiSET program (High School Equivalency Test) were they can earn a high school degree while behind bars.
On June 29, there are now three more graduates from the program which Sheriff Bobby Guidroz tells KLFY, he’s proud to announce.
According to officials, the new HiSET test which replaced the G.E.D. test last year is more in line with common core standards. A news release states the program helps improve lives of inmates through high school equivalency credentials and prepares inmates for employment and promote changes
To graduate from the program, each student must participate ten hours a week for at least three months according to their level of education. The hours are mandatory to become eligible in achieving their HiSET diploma.
Lillian Rideaux, the HiSET instructor of the sheriff’s office tells News 10 that there have been fifteen offenders who have now received their diplomas through the program. She added that thirty are currently enrolled.Click here to read the full letter
