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Instructor from Northwood Tech outlines jail education outcomes and partnerships
Summary
Oral Lee Carroll of Northwood Tech told the Sawyer County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council that a grant-funded jail education program served about 40 students last year, producing 18 high-school equivalency diplomas, multiple reading-level gains, and several post-release job placements.
Oral Lee Carroll, a Northwood Tech instructor who provides HSED/GED testing and classes inside the county jail, described her program’s scope and outcomes to the Sawyer County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council on June 10.
Carroll said the program is grant-funded and therefore carries no direct cost to the jail. During the most recent year she worked with about 40 students in the facility; 18 completed a high-school equivalency diploma and 20 completed foundation coursework. Carroll said 27 students posted at least one reading-level gain on entrance-to-exit testing, four enrolled in postsecondary education and nine secured employment after leaving custody. “I’m always trying to give them some opportunities that will pay them better than dealing drugs because I really don’t want to see them back,” Carroll said.
Carroll described academic and life-skills offerings that include writing- and math-foundations classes, financial-literacy and employability modules, driver’s-license test preparation, and referrals to local partners including Sawyer County Literacy and workforce programs. She said the program coordinates with volunteers and Northwood Tech staff to provide extra instruction when needed and supplies completion letters that can be used in court.
Council members asked about staffing and continuity. Carroll said she is the only instructor on site roughly 10 hours per week and that other summers have had more availability when funding allowed. She said volunteers and partner organizations pick up additional instruction and followup for people who remain engaged after release. Council members and staff noted strong support from jail personnel for the program.
Carroll also cited a statewide figure she said came from the Department of Public Instruction — a roughly 47% reduction in recidivism over three years — and framed the jail education work as part of broader reentry and employment efforts. The council did not record a formal vote or action on the presentation.
The council packet includes related program materials and the presenter said she will continue to coordinate with local partners and the literacy council.
