NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Grants

NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

All incarcerated individuals who enter the system without a verifiable skill or work history are identified as having a need for vocational education. They are required to participate in a vocational education program until they achieve entry level employment skills. Vocational education is provided in 27 different trade areas. All inmates enrolled in vocational education programs follow a self-paced, competency-based curriculum for the trade area in which they are enrolled, which includes soft skills. Success is measured by the ability to complete tasks and modules that lead to the earning of entry-level employment upon release.

NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

The major goal of the education program is to ensure that every incarcerated individual who leaves the system possesses a High School Equivalency diploma (HSE). To this end, the Department mandates participation in the education program for all incarcerated individuals who do not have a verified High School diploma or High School Equivalency diploma at reception. Because a High School diploma or High School Equivalency diploma is required for the higher paying inmate jobs, there is an added incentive to obtain it.