This article highlights the remarkable success of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) in providing quality education and training, leading to high-paying job opportunities for Alabamians. It also emphasizes the significant impact of ACCS's prison education program in reducing recidivism rates and fostering rehabilitation.
Alabama's correctional system has long been under scrutiny for its disregard of the civil and human rights of incarcerated individuals, prompting federal court intervention. A new mega-prison is currently under construction to address these concerns and comply with federal mandates. While many Alabamians are aware of the challenges within the prison system, they may not realize the remarkable success of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) over the past decade.
Under the leadership of Chancellor Jimmy Baker, ACCS has bucked the trend of declining enrollment seen in many state colleges and junior colleges, experiencing nearly double-digit growth. This success is attributed to the system's modern approach to teaching in-demand skills and crafts, preparing graduates for well-paying jobs in Alabama's workforce. Ninety-seven percent of ACCS attendees and graduates hail from Alabama, and nearly all graduates secure employment within the state. A testament to this success is the Working for Alabama program, championed by the legislature last year, which relied heavily on the Community College system's infrastructure and resources. The funds allocated to ACCS by the legislature represent a wise investment in higher education, yielding significant returns for Alabama. These education trust fund dollars not only benefit Alabamians' future and job growth but also contribute substantially to the state general fund. This is particularly evident in the area of prison education, where Alabama boasts one of the nation's premier and most successful programs. J.F. Ingram State Technical College and Skills Training Center, an ACCS affiliate, provides comprehensive prison education across various locations throughout Alabama. Led by President Annette Funderburk, Ingram State offers 21 distinct programs, with the highest demand areas encompassing forklift operation, cabinet making, carpentry, horticulture, HVAC, masonry, plumbing, tree trimming, automotive repair, mechanics, welding, and barbering and cosmetology. The program annually serves 2,700 students, graduating 666 individuals last year. Welding enjoys the highest enrollment while barbering boasts the highest retention rate. Notably, for every dollar invested in correctional education, an estimated four to five dollars are saved in correctional costs. More importantly, offenders who participate in correctional education are 48% less likely to return to prison. Building upon its success in prison education, ACCS has recently launched a correctional officer training school. This initiative directly addresses a critical issue identified in federal court intervention decrees: the shortage of correctional officers. Chancellor Baker, Adult Education Vice Chancellor David Walters, and Prison Commissioner John Hamm have collaborated to create the ACTIVATE program, a joint effort between the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) and ACCS, offering a cost-free pathway to a career as a correctional officer. This program assists individuals in meeting the physical and educational requirements necessary to join the profession. ACTIVATE is part of ADOC's broader recruitment efforts, which have led to a significant increase in starting salaries for correctional officers, now ranging from $52,000 to $58,200 annually, plus benefits. The program operates out of Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham and Reid State Technical College in Evergreen. Twenty-three Alabama residents successfully completed and graduated from the program's first classes last year. Commissioner Hamm, a lifelong Alabamian and former Sheriff of Barbour County, is making significant strides in leading ADOC. His understanding of Alabama law enforcement and the state's penal system is invaluable. The ACCS-ADOC partnership in prison education is proving to be a valuable asset for Alabamians, offering opportunities for rehabilitation, education, and economic empowerment.
Alabama Community College System Education Prison Education Correctional Officer Training Job Growth Recidivism Reduction
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