NICC reaches agreement with Winneshiek County Sheriff's Department for inmate education classes

(Left to right): Jail Administrator Jeanne Sebastian, Sheriff Dan Marx, Jailer Angela Amundson, Adult Literacy Instructor Lisa Fiorucci, NICC Adult Education/Literacy Development Director Gisella Aitken-Shadle and NICC President Liang Chee Wee.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office and Northeast Iowa Community College have agreed to partner to further inmate education.

The pilot program allows inmates to work with NICC instructors to earn their High School Equivalency Diploma or to begin the track to a trade degree.  It is available to anyone who is serving a jail sentence or awaiting trial. 

Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx says, "NICC approached me with this idea that they have been trying to get off the ground in their ten-county service area.  I saw great opportunity here to positively impact people who struggle to understand their purpose in life or have struggled to recognize and seize on positive opportunities before them.  If their time with us in jail can provide someone with a sense of worth and accomplishment, and ultimately help them lead a productive, self-sufficient life, I am 110 percent on board."  He adds, "When someone is busy learning and/or being productive, the odds are a lot less that they will get into trouble and end up back in jail."
   
If an inmate is interested in pursuing his or her education, NICC instructors will come to the jail at specified times and within safe parameters.  Inmates complete their coursework at their own pace as their day allows. 

NICC President Dr. Liang Chee Wee says, "Our hope is that when inmates are released from jail, they already have vested interest in continuing their education and finishing the program.  When completed, they will have new skills to help them enter the workforce and contribute as productive members of society."  He adds, "Not only will we provide inmates the right education, we will stand alongside graduates as they seek employment by working with prospective employers and companies.  We want all our graduates to be successful."

There is no additional cost to Winneshiek County taxpayers; the Sheriff's Office merely facilitates this program and the jail becomes a classroom.