By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Jails across the nation have been offering educational programs for decades. But most aren’t working, according to sheriffs who are trying a new strategy.
Recidivism rates are still through the roof, with generations of families cycling through the system.
So Wood County Jail is becoming the fourth jail in Ohio and the 30th in the nation to offer inmates the IGNITE (Inmate Growth Naturally & Intentionally Through Education) program.
Two sheriffs already operating the program in their jails swear by the success. Genesee County in Michigan has seen a 25% drop in recidivism. And Sandusky County in Ohio has seen a decrease in “generational incarceration.”
IGNITE is designed to provide incarcerated individuals with valuable educational opportunities, instilling hope, and preparing them for successful reintegration into society.
The program partners with businesses and organizations that can share valuable skills. For example, Wood County Jail already has the area carpenters union on board.
Prospective courses offered include skilled trades training, employment counseling, financial literacy, ServSafe certifications, parenting classes, religious and counseling services.
Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton said IGNITE is unlike traditional programming in jails. In addition to teaching skills, it also instills confidence.
“It’s something I really believe in,” Hilton said. “You can hand someone all types of tools, but if they don’t feel they are worth it, it won’t work.”
Inmates graduating from the program leave with a new mindset, he said.
“They hold onto those paper certificates like they’re gold,” Hilton said.
Researchers from Harvard University, Brown University, and the University of Michigan noted the program’s effectiveness at not just reducing recidivism, but also improving post-release employment opportunities, and fostering positive behavioral change inside jails.
Last week, during the official announcement of the program locally, Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn said his jail is already a respected facility in the state. The local jail is the only in Ohio to have passed state inspections with 100% scores for the last 21 consecutive years.
“We could have very easily not done this,” Wasylyshyn said. “But we’re not about coasting here in Wood County.”
When he learned of some jails experiencing 30% drops in recidivism after using IGNITE, he was sold.
“We have a lot of repeat offenders,” Wasylyshyn said. “If we can break that cycle, it’s going to change lives. Why wouldn’t we do this?”
Given the fact that 40% of jail inmates haven’t gone through the court system yet, it just makes sense to offer them a chance to improve themselves before they return to society, the sheriff said.
Wood County Jail officials did their homework before signing up for the program.
“When we heard about IGNITE in Michigan, we went up and watched their graduation ceremonies,” said Capt. Rebecca McMonigal, administrator of Wood County Jail operations. In addition to teaching the inmates useful skills, the program also boosts the confidence of inmates who have had limited success in society.
“We live and work next to these people every day,” so why not give the inmates resources to make it on the outside, McMonigal said.
During the recent expansion at the Wood County Jail, three classrooms were added to accommodate 20 to 30 inmates at a time in the program, McMonigal said.
Jessica Vanderpool, of the National Sheriffs’ Association, said more than 2 million people are incarcerated in the U.S. – with 600,000 of those in local jails, many of them awaiting trial.
Vanderpool thanked Wood County for trying something new.
“You’re helping redefine what’s possible inside corrections facilities,” she said. “Thank you for your courage to lead.”
The new program has the support of the Wood County commissioners and common pleas judges.
Data presented Wednesday stated IGNITE will help former inmates “remain productive members of the community, and stay on the outside,” Commissioner Craig LaHote said. “We’re excited to see what happens.”
Judge Matt Reger said that type of success will benefit more than the inmates themselves.
“It gets fathers to be fathers. It gets mothers to be mothers,” Reger said. “It gives people tools so they’re not back in the system.”
To continue this success, Wood County Jail is seeking volunteers, partnerships, and sponsorships to provide opportunities such as:
• GED/diploma completion
• Adult enrichment education
• Employment opportunities
• Mental health awareness
• Addiction education
• Skilled trades training (including virtual reality)
• Employment counseling
• Financial literacy
• ServSafe certifications
• Career readiness
• Parenting classes
• Commercial driver’s license (CDL) training
• Religious and counseling services
Anyone interested in partnering with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office on this initiative is asked to contact Captain Rebecca McMonigal at RMcMonigal@woodcountyohio.gov to discuss how to get involved.
