New Program Helps Ga. Inmates Earn High School Diplomas

A newly created partnership between the Georgia Department of Corrections and a north Georgia charter school is expected to help some prison inmates earn their high school diplomas.

Gov. Nathan Deal said in a statement Wednesday that inmates at Arrendale State Prison in Habersham County will be given the chance to complete their high school diplomas through a partnership with the Mountain Education Charter School. Arrendale houses 1,400 female inmates.

Deal says seven out of every 10 Georgia inmates lack high school diplomas or a GED, which complicates convicts' efforts to find jobs after they're released.

Deal says the Department of Corrections plans to expand the program next year and offer courses at the Burruss Correctional Training Center in Forsyth County.

Tags: Mountain Education Charter School, Georgia Department of Corrections, Arrendale State Prison in Habersham County, georgia program helps prisoners earn high school diplomas, education