Morrison Correctional Institution offers inmates the opportunity to improve their lives in and outside of the prison.

The facility is divided into a minimum security youth prison and a medium security prison. Each sector provides different educational opportunities. Both prisons offer the GED program through Richmond Community College. The minimum security side offers a computer skills vocational class, while the medium section offers masonry, electrical wiring and a cooking vocational program.

“Last year we had 172 GED graduates and 299 vocational graduates,” said Jennifer Jenkins, interim principal.

Jenkins believes the education system is crucial because it gives inmates more marketability when they have finished their sentence.

“Our success stories are really in the graduates we have,” said Jenkins. “We have some who come in with a first grade reading level and are able to help them receive a GED.”

Susan McInnis has worked as an instructor at Morrison Correctional Institution for almost eight years and truly loves her job. McInnis retired from teaching science at the prison in 2001, and returned in 2007 to teach math.

“I feel privileged to be a part of this,” said McInnis. “We have guys who tell us they promised their child they would get their GED while they are here.”

McInnis emphasizes encouragement while working with the inmates. Each time an inmate achieves a perfect score on a test or quiz she gives them a piece of candy.

“For all of them, to achieve a GED is the first time they’ve had success in education,” said McInnis. “Sometimes I can’t believe how well the men do.”

Deloris Stevenson who has taught at the prison for 10 years also feels that many of the students first experience with success in education is during the GED programs.

“Generally, the students are on a waiting list to get into the GED program,” said Stevenson.

Stevenson believes that education is necessary in the prison system and that teachers are needed in the environment.

“As a student gains more knowledge, they are empowered to make better decisions in their personal lives and their community,” said Stevenson. “They then have the tools to get a job or continue their education.

The inmates are given the opportunity to receive time off of their sentence for receiving their GED. McInnis explained that the inmates can receive up to six days off for every month they attend school, but disciplinary action can cause the inmates to lose these days.

Morrison Correctional Institution has received the Golden Apple award from the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) for the fourth consecutive year.

“We are the only correctional facility to receive this award,” said Jenkins.

The Golden Apple recognition means that every teacher who has attended an NCCAT program has contributed to the annual fund-raising campaign. NCCAT offers programs designed to give teachers the support and resources they need to be most effective in the classroom.

Cameron Quick can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 15 or cquick@yourdailyjournal.com.