No-Cost Educational Opportunities Inspire Change at Metropolitan Detention Center
New Mexico's largest county recently implemented an educational package that allows inmates to complete courses and learn at their own pace
FALLS CHURCH, Va., March 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GTL, a leader in transformative corrections technology that improves outcomes for inmates and facilities, today announced that the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is leveraging technology for the benefit of its incarcerated population and making it easier for inmates to participate in education courses and instruction.
"Our facility offers a variety of programs to help inmates improve their situations and hopefully see better outcomes upon release," said Chief Ralph Fernandez. "Our partnership with GTL was the next logical step in providing increased opportunities for the inmates housed at our facility. Through GTL tablets, they can access the courses of their choosing, at no cost, and learn at their own pace. Once they finish a course, they earn a certificate to show their completion. With such a wide variety of topics and applications available, inmates can easily move from basic skills to GED prep to job qualifications."
Bernalillo County implemented a variety of educational programs, including courses focused on both personal and professional development. Inmates can complete courses in math, literacy, social studies, and other educational disciplines, or instead focus on personal development with courses such as "Interpersonal Communication: Communicating with Confidence" and "Self-improvement for Lifelong Success." Inmates also have access to the Peace Education Program from The Prem Rawat Foundation, which helps participants discover a renewed sense of purpose, including how to use their own inner resources and lead more fulfilling lives.
"Rehabilitation doesn't happen just because of education or just because of personal development," continued Fernandez. "The combination of both personal and professional development programs allows inmates to gain the basic knowledge they need to succeed out in the world and hold down a job while also improving their attitudes and outlook."
Inmates will have access to the secure CareerOneStop ReEntry app through the tablets, which will provide a full range of job tools, resources, and information to help inmates map out their post-incarceration lives. CareerOneStop helps identify the jobs that are best suited to a person's skills and interests and provides information on the job, required training and education, and expected wages. The app also identifies any work restrictions that an inmate might have due to their conviction.
"GTL believes preparing individuals for reentry begins the moment they enter the facility," said Matthew Caesar, GTL Executive Vice President, Customer Solutions. "Our mission is to connect incarcerated individuals with the necessary resources and tools to positively impact and fuel successful reentry. Offering access to free educational programs is one way that we do that. We also made the decision late last year to add eBooks to the educational and workforce development content that is available at no charge because these items have a positive impact on rehabilitation. Bernalillo County is paving a progressive path in order to achieve better outcomes for their incarcerated individuals, and GTL is honored to be part of it."
About GTL
GTL leads the fields of corrections technology, education, and intelligence, as well as government payment services, with visionary solutions that integrate seamlessly to deliver security, financial value, and operational efficiencies while aiding inmate rehabilitation. As a trusted industry leader, GTL provides services to over 1.6 million inmates in more than 2,300 correctional facilities in the United States and Canada, including 29 U.S. departments of corrections, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons. GTL is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with an employee presence throughout North America. To learn more about GTL, please visit www.gtl.net or social media sites on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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