Author: Jerry Higgins, Communications Officer
RALEIGH -- Over the past year, NCDAC's Education Services section led 54 prisons through the HiSET & Vocational Challenge, an initiative to increase the number of educational certifications earned by offenders in prison. It was an overwhelming success, nearly quadrupling the number of HiSET and vocational completions over previous years.
During the past fiscal year, incarcerated people in NCDAC facilities earned 3,930 educational credentials, by either completing their HiSET high school equivalency or completing vocational courses. This total almost quadrupled the department’s 3-year average of 949 educational credentials earned each year during the period 2020-2023.
“I am so pleased with the increase in our students’ HiSET and vocational completions for this year. The goals for the institutions were lofty and required extra effort on the part of all involved to meet those goals,” said Education Services superintendent Dr. Brooke Wheeler. “I am grateful to the wardens, associate wardens of programs, education and program coordinators and staff, and of course to our students who were successful in these programs. I am also grateful for NCDAC’s excellent partners who provided the majority of our educational courses and credentials, including our numerous community college partners and higher education partners as well.”
During the challenge, each prison was assigned a specific goal number of completions based on the facility’s historical data. Completions had to take place between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Twenty-eight of 54 correctional institutions (52%) achieved or exceeded their goals. Winners for each of the four Institutions regions were recognized, as was the overall winner. It was a close finish between Anson and Nash correctional institutions for the top spot, but Anson CI won by 11 completions.
Overall, Anson CI exceeded its goal by a whopping 398%. Nash CI exceeded its goal by 387%, while Tabor CI finished third by exceeding its goal by 233%.
“I want to congratulate Superintendent Dr. Brooke Wheeler and the outstanding educational staff throughout our system. The work they do every day to not only educate our incarcerated population but prepare people for life outside our prisons is life changing, “ said Secretary Todd Ishee.
The HiSET (high school equivalency) exam is made up of five sections: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Students must pass all five tests in order to complete and earn their HiSET diplomas.
NCDAC provides a large number of what were considered vocational programs. For purposes of the challenge, all completions for human resource development courses, vocational certifications, and higher education degrees and diplomas were included in the ‘vocational’ programs to make the goals as simplified as possible. Students were required to successfully complete the continuing education or curriculum courses/programs and were at times required to pass certification tests to earn the credentials through the partnering educational entity (community colleges and/or higher education partners).
Here are the top facilities in each region, including their percentage above their goals:
Central Region (134% overall)
- Anson CI - 398%
- Nash CI - 387%
- Caswell CI & North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women - 204%
Eastern Region (95% overall)
- Eastern CI - 177%
- Pamlico CI - 137%
- Johnston CI - 136%
South Central Region (109% overall)
- Tabor CI - 233%
- Richmond CI - 181%
- Lumberton CI - 175%
Western Region (100% overall)
- Alexander CI - 193%
- Mountain View CI - 142%
- Foothills CI - 141%
These high percentages were reached through intentional collaboration, communication and effort between all stakeholders. The results of this challenge highlight the success that can be achieved when everyone works toward the same goal with great determination.
Congratulations to the winning institutions.