W. Va. Code R. § 95-2-21 - Academic and Vocational Education

21.1. Comprehensive Program. There shall be a comprehensive education program available to all eligible inmates that extends from literacy training through high school and includes communication skills, mathematics, and social science. The educational program shall be structured so that inmates can enter at any time and proceed at their own pace. Progress through the program shall not be defined by grade level attainment. Individual instruction shall be supplemented by the use of programmed instruction, teaching machines, educational television and correspondence courses when appropriate.

21.2. Standardized Curriculum. There shall be a standardized competency-based curriculum supported by appropriate materials and classroom resources. A standard curriculum shall be developed in order to monitor student progress from class to class or between correctional facilities.

21.3. Program Availability. Educational programs shall not compete with work assignments, visitation, counseling, etc., but shall be offered at off peak program hours and shall be available in the evenings and on weekends.

21.4. Specialized Equipment. The educational program shall be supported by specialized equipment, including, at a minimum, classrooms, teaching carrels, audiovisual materials and facilities, chalkboards, and administrative space.

21.5. Post-secondary Programs. Post-secondary programs in academic and vocational education shall be available to qualified inmates. An adequate number of college courses shall be available at no cost to all appropriate inmates. Appropriate classroom space shall be provided for all such courses.

21.6. Social Skills. The correctional facility shall provide courses in consumer activities, life skills, and family life, and where possible, should incorporate instruction of social skills in regular course content. The courses shall be coordinated with social services, leisure time activities and religious programs, and in a comprehensive social skills development program.

21.7. Vocational Training. Vocational training programs shall be integrated with academic programs and shall be relevant to the vocational needs of inmates and to employment opportunities in the community. A variety of training programs shall be available including cooperation with correctional industries, work assignments, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and other vocational related programs. Equipment and curricula for the vocational training programs shall be updated periodically to ensure compatibility with training developments in the community.

21.8. Educational Records. Academic and vocational information shall become a part of the master file and shall be transferred when inmates are moved to other correctional facilities or relocated in the community during pre-release.

21.9. Staffing. An adequate job placement staff whose full-time responsibility is the classification, placement, development of placement, and individual programming for inmates shall be maintained. This staff shall assess individual needs as well as facilitate the development of apprenticeships, community work release, and vocational and educational placement. The correctional facility shall maintain an adequate staff of counselors with training in educational guidance counseling. There shall be a ratio of one counselor for every sixty inmates. Counselors shall work with each inmate individually to develop a rehabilitative program for that inmate. This program and the inmate's progress shall be reviewed at regular intervals.

21.10. Work Release. Sufficient work release centers shall be maintained for eligible inmates. Inmates are eligible for work release selection after six months of incarceration and/or within two years of possible release.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 95-2-21