Education & Job Training at MDOC: GED, Vocational Classes, and Career Services

MDOC's Adult Education (AE) Program is for incarcerated people who don't have a high school diploma or equivalent (like a High School Equivalency, or HSE). If your loved one entered custody without finishing school, AE is the starting point. It builds toward that credential and opens the door to other education and training opportunities.

When your loved one applies for academic or vocational programming, MDOC uses the Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) as part of the screening process. The TABE measures academic skill level so students can be matched to training that fits where they are right now.

MDOC's Workforce Development Division partners with community colleges across Mississippi to provide career training. These intergovernmental agreements make it possible to offer post-secondary instruction at different types of MDOC facilities statewide.

• ✓ Hinds Community College at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility
• ✓ Northeast Mississippi Community College at Alcorn County Correctional Facility
• ✓ Mississippi Delta Community College at Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman
• ✓ Mississippi Valley State University at Bolivar County Correctional Facility and the Delta Community Work Center/Technical Violation Center/Restitution Center

MDOC Career Services has one goal: helping people leave prison better prepared to succeed at work. The program covers employment and life skills training, job search assistance (including coaching and referrals), individual and group counseling, and follow-up services tied to reentry support after release.

• ✓ Eligible for flat time or earned release supervision consideration within 3 to 6 months, if in trusty status or eligible for trusty status
• ✓ Eligible for release consideration within 3 to 6 months, if not in or eligible for trusty status
• ✓ Within three months of their parole eligibility date