HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — A new Hernando County program is providing detention center inmates the opportunity to earn the General Educational Development (GED) certification before their release.
- New system entirely computer-based
- No taxpayer funds used to pay for program
- More Hernando County news
The new system is completely computer-based and administered through the Aztec GED system, giving inmates the chance to learn at their own pace.
“They have to be willing to come to class every day and put the time in, because they’re going to need study time, they’re going to need to study in the pod and also do the class time,” said Deputy Krystel DeJesus, who is overseeing the program.
Inmate David Rowe is currently serving time on burglary and drug charges. He’s one of fifteen inmates currently part of the new GED program.
“A lot of people kind of wonder, 'well, at 66 why do you want to do it?'" Rowe said. "And I figure, well, you’re never too old to learn.”
Since the program started in June, two inmates have already received their GEDs.
“It makes me feel really good just to see the excitement on their face," DeJesus said. "I had two of them — they were 33 and 44 — and that’s a really good accomplishment."
The hope is that when they are released, they’ll become productive members of society.
It's something Rowe hopes will happen for him when he finishes the program.
“It will help my mindset if nothing else, knowing that I’ve done something productive and learned something,” Rowe explained.
There is no cost to taxpayers. This program is funded through inmate welfare funds, which come from the detention commissary.