Gov. Deal speaks about the importance of educating prison inmates before release

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Georgia Department of Corrections held their 2016 Academic Education Summer Conference Wednesday afternoon at the Macon Marriott City Center.

Governor Nathan Deal, (R) Georgia, was on hand to speak to a crowd of educators, who teach various marketable skills to inmates within the state’s prison system.

“If somebody has an education and they can read when they couldn’t read before,” said the Governor.  “When they have a skill that is marketable in the general community that they didn’t have before, it’s just common sense the likelihood that they’re coming back is significantly reduced and that’s good news for all of us.”

Over 8,000 inmates are educated as apart of programs every year, and can earn their high school diplomas, GED’s, or even learn a trade such as welding.

“It’s giving them jobs, but it’s also giving them hope,” said Buster Evans, the assistant commissioner for the Division of Inmate Services. “It’s giving them a skill, and we believe we’re equipping them to be successful.”

“More remarkable than even to that, is that the programs are working, they’re changing lives,” continued Gov. Deal.

This year, the conference recognized the increase in enrollment and completions for inmates in the program since the curriculum was launched.