North Carolina Division of Prisons
Program Services

Last Updated February 14, 1997 

Prison Program Description: Academic/Vocational Education
Purpose Education provides the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes to make adult and youth inmates literate. Education programs also prepare adults and youth for meaningful and satisfying roles as working and contributing members of society.

Academic education prepares inmates:

  1. to read, write and compute.
  2. to pass the GED Test.
  3. to acquire survival skills.
  4. to provide social education.

Vocational education prepares inmates:

  1. for employment with job skills training.
  2. to increase productivity while working in prison jobs and in employment in the community upon release.
  3. by increasing their sense of accomplishment and ability.
Criteria for Participation Academic and vocational education is mainly offered to medium custody inmates. However, inmates in close of minimum custody are afforded participation in education programs as appropriate.

Division of Prisons case managers recommend inmates for participation in educational programs. Prison managers must review and approve the recommendation.

Inmates are recommended for participation based on interests, abilities, needs and whether the time remaining in their sentence allows completion of the program.

Program Operation Academic and vocational education are offered on a full time basis at large youth institutions and large adult institutions. Some large correctional centers also provide education on a full time basis. Educational programs are offered mostly on a part time basis at small adult and youth correctional centers. Adult basic education is the primary education program available for inmates.

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