Education and Job Training for Women Connected to REECC: How to Find What’s Offered

Wisconsin's Department of Corrections (DOC) does more than custody - it also runs education programs. The DOC operates as a Local Education Agency, and its Division of Adult Institutions offers Adult Basic Education (ABE). If your loved one needs to build foundational academic skills, ABE is usually the starting point. It's also the gateway to other training options.

Beyond ABE, the Division of Adult Institutions runs Career Technical Education (CTE) and vocational programs at correctional institutions and centers. Wisconsin DOC lists 23 vocational areas of study and 13 apprenticeship opportunities. Not every location offers every track at the same time - availability depends on the site, staffing, and eligibility. But the system has a wide menu of job-training options.

For women ready for college-level work, Wisconsin DOC has built pathways beyond basic education and trades. Since July 2016, the DOC has offered associate and bachelor degree programs through partnerships with technical colleges and four-year universities. What's available depends on where someone is housed and which programs are currently running - so you'll need to confirm what's accessible at her specific site.

Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center (REECC) is part of the Wisconsin Women's Correctional System (WWCS). That WWCS connection matters when you're tracking down education or job-training options. Most questions are best directed to education staff connected to the women's system and to REECC's education programming specifically.

1. Start with the Opportunities and Options Resource Guide - Wisconsin DOC published the Opportunities and Options Resource Guide in June 2023, and it’s specifically meant to help families and the public understand available programming.
2. Use it to narrow down what you’re asking about - The guide is referenced by DOC as a place to get more information on ABE and CTE/Vocational programs, and it’s available in both English and Spanish.
3. Write down the exact program name before you call - When you can say “this ABE track” or “this CTE/vocational area,” it’s much easier for staff to tell you whether it’s offered at REECC right now and what the enrollment path looks like.

1. Ask to speak with education staff connected to REECC - Since REECC is part of the Wisconsin Women’s Correctional System (WWCS), start by requesting the facility’s education contact or education office.
2. Confirm whether the program is currently running at REECC - Wisconsin DOC offers ABE and CTE/Vocational programming across institutions and correctional centers, but the mix can vary by site. Ask what’s actively available right now.
3. Ask how enrollment works for her - Get clear on eligibility requirements, any screenings, and the typical timeline (for example, whether there’s a waitlist and how placement happens).
4. Ask about schedules and participation rules - Programs can be impacted by housing status, job assignments, or other institutional requirements. Staff can tell you what’s realistic for her situation.

Common Questions

• ✓ Which ABE classes are currently running, and what’s the usual start timeline?
• ✓ Which CTE/vocational programs are currently running at REECC?
• ✓ Is there a waitlist for education or vocational classes? If yes, how does someone get added, and how is priority decided?
• ✓ What eligibility checks or screenings are required before she can start ABE or CTE?
• ✓ How does participation interact with other required obligations (work assignments or other programming)?
• ✓ Are there post-secondary (college) opportunities available to her through DOC partnerships? If so, what are the steps to be considered?
• ✓ How are records handled (class completion documentation, credits, or transcripts), and who can she contact inside the facility if she needs copies later?