GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The Department offers an extensive array of programs and services which inmates may utilize to re-
direct their lives to becoming productive, law-abiding members of society. Programs include
educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, parenting skills, anger management,
health education, sex offender programming, religious services, and many more. Following is a general
listing of programs available.
Education Programs
The Division of Education oversees all academic, college, vocational, and recreation programs.
Education is also responsible for Language Access Services. The objective of education programs is
to provide inmates with the skills and credentials that will assist them to become productive members
of the community upon release.
➢ Academic Education is provided in all general confinement correctional facilities. The core
academic programs are: Adult Basic Education (ABE), High School Equivalency preparation
(Pre-HSE and HSE), English as a Second Language (ESL) /Bilingual, Cell Study, and Computer
Assisted Instruction. Inmates who are 21 years of age or younger may also receive Special
Education and Title 1 services. All inmates who enter the system without a verified high school
credential are determined to have an academic need and required to participate in school until
attainment of a high school equivalency diploma.
➢ College programs are offered at many facilities in partnership with colleges, funding sources and
the correctional facility. An inmate must have a verified high school credential to participate in a
college program. For a complete listing of college programs and locations, please refer to the
Department’s website (www.doccs.ny.gov). Inmates with a high school diploma or equivalency
may participate in post-secondary correspondence programs at any facility. The inmate and/or
family member are responsible for the cost of correspondence courses. Correspondence
courses must be from an accredited institution of higher education and approved by the
Education Supervisor at the facility.
➢ Vocational programs are offered in 28 different trade areas. These programs are available at
most general confinement facilities. Inmates who enter the system without a verified work history
or employment skills are identified as having a vocational need and required to participate in a
vocational program. All vocational programs are competency based. Inmates complete tasks
and modules that lead to the earning of job titles. All job titles represent real world jobs. To satisfy
the vocational need, an inmate must complete a cluster of job titles from the Employment
Readiness Title Chart.
➢ Vocational programs offer qualified inmates the opportunity to participate in Department of Labor
Apprenticeship Training Programs. Certain programs also offer Industry recognized
certifications such as NCCER (construction trades), IC3 (computer skills), Serve-Safe (food
handling).
➢ Recreational programs offer the inmates the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of
recreational activities, including organized sports, participation with community groups, fine arts,
in-house video programs and wellness programs.
➢ Inmate organizations are intended to provide structured and meaningful leisure time activities
that will assist the re-entry process by instilling teamwork, leadership skills, good sportsmanship
and wellness.
➢ Hispanic and Cultural Services ensure that all limited English proficient individuals have access
to all programs and services within the Department.