Inmates Receive Diploma Through Online Program

As part of serving their sentence at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution 10 inmates completed the work needed to receive their GED.

An online program run by the Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission allowed the inmates to receive the equivalent of a high school diploma and a graduation ceremony was held for them last month.

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said it was an important accomplishment for the inmates and a valuable program for the county. “Education is the key to a productive future,” he said. “No one can take that knowledge away. I’m hopeful these graduates will use it as they move forward and transition back into society for the purpose of positive change.”

Inmates at the jail have been receiving their GED through the program since 2007 and Monmouth County remains the only facility in the state to offer the program. In six years 176 inmates have received their diplomas studying things like math, science, social studies, reading and writing.

Jorge Ramon, a recent graduate of the program said it was a good experience. “This GED course is the best avenue the institution can provide to us when achieving our dreams,” he said. “The fact that we become better men and women through this program makes us feel proud.”

The Monmouth Ocean Educational Services Commission is run by Interim Superintendent David Abbott with Assistant Superintendent Christopher Rooney and New Jersey Virtual School Director/Principal Maria Penzimer. It is run at the county level by Capt. Shawn Althouse and Lt. Thomas Bolaro of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Division.