By Brad Nygaard
The Bismarck Tribune, N.D.
BRISMARCK, N.D. — State inmates will soon get the chance to take college-level courses while incarcerated as nearly $700,000 in federal funding is headed to the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The state DOCR was awarded
the grant
, which will go toward the purchase and implementation of technology that will allow residents of all the state-run correctional and rehab facilities to gain access to courses through local colleges and universities, according to a statement.
The funding extends from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2027, and comes from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, according to DOCR spokesperson Kayli Richards.
Incarcerated people interested in the program must have a high school diploma or GED to apply for enrollment.
The goal of the program is to empower prisoners by providing enhanced education opportunities, thereby increasing their chances of successful reintegration while reducing potential recidivism and dependence on public assistance, according to the statement.
“Education is a powerful tool that can transform lives,” DOCR Grants Manager Charlie Heddeen said. “This grant will not only equip our incarcerated individuals with essential skills and knowledge but also provide them with a pathway to a brighter future. By partnering with local educational institutions, we are building a support network that fosters success and reduces the likelihood of reoffending.”
Research shows that education plays a crucial role in reducing recidivism rates — studies indicate that people who participate in educational programs while incarcerated are 43% less likely to return to prison than those who do not, the statement said.
The Last Mile computer coding for inmates
North Dakota State Penitentiary inmate, Ridge Christianson, speaks on Wednesday afternoon about opportunities being provided to prisoners that will improve their lives upon release. Christianson and others are part of a computer HTML coding class through an organization called The Last Mile that provides educational classes for prisons.
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