According to our news report, the prison education proposal was an outgrowth of a discussion between the governor and Dr. Lonnie Randolph, president-elect of the state chapter of the NAACP. In comments to our reporter, Dr. Randolph recalled discussing "the revolving door in our prison system."

Learning a marketable skill is, in Dr. Randolph's words, "part of the restitution" that inmates should make to society before their release from prison.

The Department of Corrections will use the carrot and stick to enroll inmates in the GED program. Participation will enable inmates to obtain credits to reduce their sentences. Refusal to participate will result in the loss of privileges.

The program, in effect, tells the prisoner, "You have no excuse for not being better off when you left the system," says Corrections Department Director Jon Ozmint. The department also plans on expanding vocational programs to teach willing inmates trades, such as bricklaying.

The need is apparent. Sixty-three percent of the state's 24,000 prison inmates don't have a high school diploma or GED.

Voluntary GED programs already are being provided to inmates through an instructional program on satellite television. The governor's program will provide direct instruction for those who aren't so motivated.

The state expects to use $2.5 million in unspent disaster relief funds this year, and then sustain the program with general revenues after the state's budget picture improves, presumably for the 2005 budget year. Limited funding will require that the state use part-time instructors for both GED and vocational programs.

The Corrections Department will get only modest budgetary relief under this year's budget, enough to maintain the current level of service and security without having to operate at a deficit. Meanwhile, the state's inmate population grows by about 1,100 a year. This modest program may at least help stem the flow of inmates to the state system.

"It is crazy to continue sending folks out of the criminal justice system with no better educational leg to stand on and expect good results," Gov. Sanford said in his State of the State last week. This program recognizes that rehabilitation, like punishment, is an essential component of incarceration.

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