By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A contract between the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and Pima Community College that offers GED classes and other adult education services to incarcerated individuals at the Pima County Jail might be coming to an end this month after more than three decades.
Read more Sunnyside freshman program aims to boost student readiness, graduation rates
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said PCC is asking for $170,000 to run the program this year, $10,000 more than in years past.
He said PCC has not given him data proving the program is worth spending that kind of money on.
“How do I justify spending $170,000 and nobody got their GED?” Nanos said.
Nanos said new data from PCSD shows the program might not be as successful as he had thought.
“We’re in the sixth month this year, there’s zero GEDs given out. Last year – one full year – one GED given out. I paid $160,000 for that one year,” Nanos said.
He attributed a lack of course completion to the fact that the average inmate spends 11 days in the facility, which does not provide enough time for the five tests necessary for a GED to be passed.
Nanos said a contract renewal with PCC is not financially responsible, particularly amid recent budget issues.
“I have to go through the couch cushions to look at every penny that is spent and be responsible for that money – and that’s exactly what we did here,” Nanos said.
Laurie Kierstead-Joseph, PCC’s vice chancellor for adult basic education, said within the past three years, around 700 inmates have taken at least some classes, with many passing some tests.
“If they get their high school equivalency diploma or if they’re even just involved in adult basic ed classes like ours, there’s a reduction in recidivism – I think the data says about a 43 percent reduction in recidivism for those folks,” Kierstead-Joseph said.
Read more National PFAS experts gather in Tucson to address forever chemicals
Danny Howe, who was once incarcerated, said he earned his GED while in jail. He said it marked the start of him turning his life around.
“I didn’t get the traditional high school experience, so that GED really started that opportunity for me and now, because I have a college degree, it puts me in the running for some actual opportunities to make some good money,” Howe said.
He said continuing the program could save the county money.
“They’re not all gonna complete it, but if we help one, that makes it beneficial because that one person is gonna get out on the street and get a better job, which is gonna save money; he or she is not gonna re-offend,” Howe said.
Nanos said the program is not a good way to spend money from an inmate welfare fund, which is meant to cover all things any inmate might need while incarcerated.
“Those are benefits for all the inmates – not just 700 out of 30,000,” Nanos said.
The current contract is set to expire on June 30, so there is still time for it to be renewed.
Both Nanos and Kierstead-Joseph said they are still willing to negotiate and try to figure out a way to keep the program running.
Are you streaming 13 News?
Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app, which you can find on Apple and Google.
If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.
Read more 2 hospitalized after reported Chandler home invasion
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.