RESTON, Va., Feb. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GTL, an innovation leader in correctional technology and payment services solutions for government, today announced that it has acquired Innertainment Delivery Systems (IDS), the leading provider of inmate education systems in the U.S. The acquisition is GTL's most recent investment in tools that provide its customers with solutions for effective inmate rehabilitation and successful reentry, both of which reduce recidivism rates.

IDS was founded by Dr. Turner Nashe, Jr. and Phylanice Nashe, J.D. in 2009. IDS is a one-stop shop that provides standard and customized course work to incarcerated individuals, including life skills, vocational skills, preparation for high school equivalency exams, professional certifications, and diplomas. Additionally, IDS provides continued access to educational programs for inmates released on probation or parole and offers professional workforce development programs for corrections and community corrections staff.

Dr. Nashe stated, "Our goal has always been to make a difference by having a positive effect on recidivism. Participating in the right educational programming can reduce recidivism by as much as 43 percent. Recidivism rates fall because ex-offenders can find work that provides a living wage. We have built professional education tools for professional educators in order to fulfill IDS's vision of providing meaningful education that leads to gainful employment. By joining our correctional education initiatives with GTL, IDS can now expand its services more quickly into correctional facilities and begin a new era of providing every inmate with opportunities to improve their lives."

Last year, GTL unveiled an education management offering for corrections professionals and inmates. GTL's Inspire® tablets provide the most secure educational platforms available, which also aligns with the U.S. Government's Pell Grant initiative for inmates.

"GTL spent years developing a next-generation tablet that can deliver quality education software and meet the security standards of a corrections environment," said Brian Oliver, CEO of GTL. Mr. Oliver added, "We partnered with IDS because we share the focus, passion, experience, and professional tools to effectively combat the national problem of high recidivism. With the acquisition of IDS, we are working with the best in the business at having an impact on reducing recidivism rates across the nation. The possibilities that lie ahead will change the way inmates spend their time serving out their sentences and provide opportunities for real self-improvement. We are looking forward to providing positive change in our industry. When you empower an inmate with education opportunities, the chances of that inmate repeat offending decreases by nearly half."

About GTL
GTL leads in the fields of correctional technology and government payment services with visionary solutions and customized products that integrate seamlessly to deliver security, financial value, and ease of operation for its customers. As a trusted industry leader, 1.9 million inmates nationwide use GTL services; including service to 32 state departments of corrections, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and 73 of the 100 largest city/county facilities, including 39 of the top 50. GTL is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, and maintains several regional offices across the country. To learn more about GTL, please visit www.gtl.net or our social media sites on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About IDS
Innertainment Delivery Systems, LLC, is the leading provider of education solutions in the corrections market. Producing professional educational tools for professional educators, IDS delivers comprehensive solutions to federal, state, and local governments that allow them to offer educational opportunities to inmates, probationers, and parolees. IDS also provides workforce development solutions for corrections officers, probation officers, and parole officers. IDS was founded in 2009 and is based in Nashville, Tennessee. To learn more about IDS, please visit www.ids615.com.

SOURCE GTL

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