Inmate GED rate up in Lake County

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said Wednesday that 80 inmates of the Lake County jail successfully completed the General Education Diploma program last year, a 21 percent increase over 2010.

Inmates spend three days a week in classes taught by instructors from the College of Lake County through a program paid for by CLC.

Approximately 40 students are enrolled in the classes at any one time, a statement from Curran's office said, and 90 percent of those who take the classes eventually pass the GED exam.

Many of those who do not complete the program while incarcerated do so after being released from custody, the statement says, and some former inmates with the GEDs go on to further their education at CLC after their release.

“Education and faith are two very important facets to the rehabilitation process and we are committed to providing both to our inmates,” Curran said in the statement.