VERSAILLES, Ky. — The Kentucky Community & Technical College System announced 4,460 incarcerated individuals earned their GED through their program from 2020 to 2024.

During that same time period, enrollment in their GED prep classes grew to 14,441.

“When we say KCTCS is education for all, that’s exactly what we mean. Supporting those who lack a high school diploma is a key priority for our state and workforce,” said KCTCS President Ryan Quarles. 

“Everyone benefits if these individuals reenter our communities and the workforce with a credential that will help them build better lives for themselves and their families,” added Quarles, who was recently appointed to the Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers.

According to published studies, education not only benefits inmates, but it also produces societal benefits, such as lowering rates of recidivism when they are released, said Maggie Price, director of student success at Maysville Community and Technical College.

Price wrote her dissertation on correctional education, and sees it as a duty to ensure educational opportunities for all.

“Many people who are incarcerated will be released one day, and they will be our neighbors. We want our neighbors to be educated and involved in enhancing our communities,” Price said.

Fourteen of KCTCS’ colleges are service providers for Kentucky Adult Education, the state agency that administers the GED program. Classes are held at county jails and prisons.

Cynthia McGaha is the director of adult education for Somerset Community College, one of two colleges recently recognized by KYAE for achieving all performance targets last year.

“The GED program helps students set goals and teaches them the amount of work it takes to achieve it,” McGaha said.

Even if inmates are serving longer sentences, McGaha said they still may want their GED to set a good example for someone in their lives.

With annual enrollment of over 100,000 students, KCTCS is Kentucky’s largest institution of postsecondary education.