‘Opportunity to Better Myself': Henderson County Jail educational initiative helps foster rehabilitation
By partnering with NCIC Correctional Services, the jail has the ability to give inmates tablets 'equipped with a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance personal growth, career readiness, and life skills.' Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse explained that in even in just a few weeks they have seen glimpse into the future of the successes this program will bring to the inmates.
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KETK news had the opportunity on Wednesday morning to talk to Hillhouse and two inmates about the program and the positive impact it has on their lives.
'The shorter classes we've already had 2,234 inmates take those classes and complete them; we've had 96 of the 130-hour re-entry program classes be completed and 66 of the GED classes be completed,' Hillhouse said.
Health, well-being and recovery
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Academics and programs
Every day jail trustees, 41-year-old DuBayonne Shortridge of Malakoff and 44-year-old Richard Duncan of Athens, wake up each morning to work at the fairgrounds and after coming back to the jail they work on courses in this program with the hopes of becoming better people.
'It provided an opportunity to better myself mentally and advance myself educational wise,' Shortridge said. 'I can become a better person because of it hopefully.'
Duncan said that these programs keep him motivated during incarceration, not only to gain incentives, but to also grow professionally and personally. 'In these programs, you have lot of quizzes, so I have learned that I am actually pretty smart,' Duncan said. 'You get 130 hours on your tablet for completing this program and it makes you feel good that you've completed it.'
These courses like Duncan completed are what this program is all about and why Hillhouse launched the program in the first place. These courses give inmates the necessary skills so they do not end back up in jail once they are released the first time.
'Basically try to stop recidivist,' Hillhouse said. 'We see the same people over and over again and if we can get them some training, get them some education, try to get them headed on the right path maybe they can start making better choices in life and be productive citizens in society.'
Not only does this program offer academic courses but also family based ones such as parenting. 'Some of the parenting courses that they offer have made me want to be a better person and not be on the wrong side of the law when I get out,' Shortridge said. 'That way I can be a more positive influence for those I am responsible for raising, they don't follow in these parts of my footsteps.'
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Hillhouse emphasized that listening to Shortridge and Duncan's experience with the courses only makes him more excited for the future of the program.
'I want it to grow, you know we've only had it for a couple months, but I see good things coming from it and we just want to make better people,' Hillhouse said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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