Athens City Schools graduates first incarcerated student

Published 6:15 am Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Athens City Schools will celebrate the first graduation of an incarcerated student today with a ceremony at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, officials announced Tuesday.

Of the 372 juveniles in Alabama jails who are also enrolled in Athens City Schools, this is the first graduate since the program began last August. It is anticipated that several more students will graduate from this program in the coming weeks.

“Completing their jail sentence with a high school diploma could change the future for these students,” Superintendent Trey Holladay said. “Once they achieve this, they are more employable and can also enter postsecondary school or job training. We want to make a difference in their lives and feel that education is the first step.”

In Alabama, detained youth between the ages of 17-21 who are awaiting their court date — or who are waiting for their placement in another facility or community-based program — can spend anywhere from a few days to a few months in a county jail. During this time, formal education comes to an end.

“ … Athens City Schools is working to change this practice by providing these incarcerated youth the opportunity to continue or re-enroll in high school to complete courses and receive a diploma while behind bars,” said a press release about the program. “The program is very personalized, meeting students where they are academically.”

Students with different course requirements, at different levels, are supported and guided through courses to obtain the knowledge needed to master concepts and pass course requirements, the release said.