North region.” Jennifer accepted a position as Principal
over the twenty-three facilities in the Southeast.
In Jennifer’s first year in her new position in the
Southeast Principal position, her goal was to administer
1,000 GEDs. From July 1st when she started until the
end of the year, she said, “We got 1,200. The next year,
the goal was 2,000, and we got 2,300. This year, the goal
was 3,000, and we were able to finish the fiscal year with
3,016,” said Jennifer. For each one of those who have
earned a GED, the possibilities for the future have been
changed forever.
Thankfully, Governor Deal was not alone in his desire
to change lives in the prison system in Georgia. “We
partner with technical colleges and some businesses in
Georgia,” said Jennifer. “We can offer several different
vocational and technical programs that include things
like welding, diesel mechanics, electrical repair, grounds
maintenance, and even beekeeping."
A criticism Jennifer has heard from time to time
is “Why does a prisoner get the opportunity for a free
112 Toombs County Magazine
"He who opens a school
door, closes a prison."
-Victor Hugo
Some may view educating prisoners as an unnecessary
privilege, but the Georgia Department of Corrections
believes if they can improve a prisoner's education, that
prisoner is more likely to return to society as a productive
citizen with job skills and less likely to return to prison.
ABOVE Prisoners who choose to take education classes
can graduate with a GED.
education when I had to pay my way through college?”
Her response is not without understanding. “I have student
loans, too,” said Jennifer. The difference for these inmates,
she explained, is that she believed that she was capable of
success. The disadvantage for many is in what they believe.
When a person’s belief about his or her ability to succeed
is changed, that person is empowered to change his or her
choices, which affects all of society.
“If we can give these people the opportunity to become
a productive citizen, isn’t that the overall goal?” asked
Jennifer.
On April 1, 2018, Dr. Jennifer Irvin was promoted
to Academic Education Program Director by Georgia
Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Gregory
C. Dozier. According to the GDC website, “Dr. Irvin will be
responsible for all academic education programs, which will
serve to prepare incarcerated students for career technical
opportunities to ensure successful reentry.”
A few weeks earlier, Jennifer had watched over
a hundred inmates graduate with a GED at Smith's
State Prison in Glennville. Joined by Georgia’s State
Commissioners, she looked on proudly. Yes, it was a career
for which she never planned. And yet, the plan was always in
her heart. TCM