Full Notification

Approximately 1 year in the making, Steuben County Jail Chaplain Gayle Fisher organized efforts between the Steuben County literacy Coalition, Four County Area Vocational Cooperative, the Steuben County Jail ministry and the United Way to provide a G.E.D. program for inmates housed at the Steuben County jail. The efforts came to a full success on February 2nd 2013 when three inmates that participated in the program during a 5 month period, successfully completed testing, successfully obtaining their G.E.D. diploma.
This is a great success as the jail environment traditionally due to a limited length of stay and resources does not have a very good graduation rate. Inmates simply are released for various reasons before the program is able to complete. A solid G.E.D. program has been identified as having a positive impact on the prevention of recidivism. This program is a success due to the collaborative efforts here between all the organizations and people involved at no cost to the Sheriff’s Office. The entire program is fully funded through the Four County Area Vocational Cooperative, the Literacy Coalition, the United Way, the Steuben County jail ministry and four individual contributors- Richard and Vonda Bowerman of Angola, Jeremiah 29:11 Ministries of Angola, Rebecca Myers of Angola and one contributor that wishes to remain anonymous. The Steuben County Jail looks forward to a continued effort with the G.E.D. program and its successes.

Attached photograph:

Sharon Mumma—Tutor with Steuben County Literacy Coalition (works with inmates)
Keith Greathouse--Tutor with Steuben County Literacy Coalition (works with inmates)
Paul Lang—United Way Board Member
Rita Bomba—United Way Board Member
Denny Springer—United Way Board Member
Breann Fink—Executive Director of Steuben County Literacy Coalition
Gayle Fisher- Steuben County Jail Chaplain
Captain Francisco Ortiz
Sheriff Tim Troyer
Not pictured: Stephanie Ross – Four County Area Vocational Cooperative ABE (Adult Basic Education) Coordinator – (provides the test administrator for the GED test)