Ivy Tech ends contract with inmate GED program

Ivy Tech Community College no longer runs the GED program for inmates in Indiana correctional facilities.

Indiana Department of Correction Communications Chief Doug Garrison said the contract between Ivy Tech and IDOC was allowed to expire after the college and IDOC were unable to allocate funding for personnel increase in the program.

Grace College and Oakland City University, the two schools were approved through the Indiana Department of Administration as the institutions that would take Ivy Tech’s place.

The transition was officially announced in July of this year.

Garrison said IDOA has to review all guidelines the state imposes on vendor contracts.
“As a state agency, we’re trying to find the most cost-effective, efficient method to educate the most offenders we can given the cost constraint,” Garrison said.

Since Grace College and Oakland City University began spearheading the program, 13 new teachers have been hired.

IDOC Education Director John Nally said invitations to take on the program were issued to schools such as Purdue and Indiana State, but both schools declined.

Criteria for leading the GED program was based on whether or not the institution was an Indiana-based college or university and was a member of the College Consortium, Garrison said.

Colleges and universities in the College Consortium include Ball State, Grace College, Indiana State, Ivy Tech, Vincennes University and Oakland City University.

Grace College issued a press release Tuesday announcing Dennis Duncan as director of prison education at the college. Duncan was also selected by IDOC to lead the northern region of the Adult Basic Education group.

“I think that (Duncan’s) background, attitude and values all work well for Grace’s long-term goals of (developing) relationships and serving the men at these correctional facilities,” said John Teevan, executive director of the Weber School and executive director of Prison Education in the press release.

“We are delighted to have (Duncan) join us in this highly mission-centered, front-line venture (serving) a very overlooked population.”

Duncan could not be reached for statement Tuesday.

The transition was made official Aug. 1.