For Brian Gartman, life is all about making decisions. A series of bad decisions led to Gartman’s arrest and incarceration for burglary, which has now been reduced to a grand larceny charge. While serving a one year sentence in the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center, Gartman, 25, decided to make better decisions for himself, like earning a GED diploma.
“I decided to get my GED, so that hopefully there would be some more opportunities for me once I’ve served my sentence,” Gartman said of the General Educational Development tests designed to measure high school equivalency. “I will be getting released in August. Once I’m out, I plan on going to college at (East Mississippi Community College) in Mayhew, where I’m going to study automobile painting and body collision. I may even have a scholarship lined up to help with the cost of school.”
Since its inception in August 2010, more than 25 inmates at the LCADC have received their GED diplomas, through a partnership between the jail and EMCC.
Jail Administrator Billy Pickens said the GED diploma class has been “extremely successful.”
“This has been a very good program,” Pickens said. “We have seen a lot of success in a relatively short amount of time. The way I see it, we are here to not only house inmates, but we are also responsible for their rehabilitation. The GED program also gives inmates something productive to do with their time, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone.”
“We were approached about this and we thought it was a good thing,” EMCC District Coordinator Karen Quarrels said. “We provide the instructors and the materials. We currently are not holding classes, as we are looking for a new instructor. I think it has been successful. It cuts down on recidivism. It’s gone so well, we are hoping to add some technical training at the jail through EMCC’s Work Force Training Division.”
To qualify for the program, an inmate must have a seventh grade education. Once he or she is tested, they go to classes a couple of times a week for about two hours. But Pickens said adhering to a set schedule is not as easy as it sounds.
“We never know what is going to happen,” Pickens said. “We try to keep the GED students on a class schedule, but there are court proceedings and transfers and several other factors to consider. For the lost time in court, the transient nature of the population and the relatively short class hours, this has been an extremely productive program.”
The GED diploma program has had 55 qualified students since 2010. Of those who qualified, 25 have received their diplomas.
“This program gives the inmates an opportunity to do something with their lives when they are released,” Sheriff Mike Arledge said. “It could even keep them from going back to jail. I commend (Pickens) for the good work he’s done with the GED program.”
In January 2012, a program for jail trustees was implemented.
“I was the first trustee to get my GED,” Gartman said. “Because of Mr. Pickens and this program, I have been able to change my life. I’m going to college, and I will have a career when I’m released. I hope that other inmates will take advantage of this program. It has made me a better person.”
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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