Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Atlantic County Brings Distance Learning to County Jail

The Atlantic County Board of Freeholders has approved the renewal of a contract that provides the Atlantic County Justice Facility in Mays Landing with access to the Corrections Learning Network (CLN), a distance learning initiative funded through the U.S. Department of Education.

Under the previous contract, the county purchased a satellite dish and had it installed at the Justice Facility's training site. The current contract calls for the continuation of services at no cost to the county. These include professional development programs for corrections officers, educators, administrators and medical staff, as well as optional educational life and transition-based classes for inmates.

"Distance learning is an invaluable resource of which we are happy to take advantage," stated County Executive Dennis Levinson. "Training and education are important for staff and have been shown to reduce recidivism in incarcerated individuals. CLN makes it that much easier to obtain."

CLN is administered by Educational Service District 101 and has been distributing instruction to correctional facilities throughout the country since 1999.

For more information, please contact Rick Mulvihill, Department Head of Public Safety, at (609) 645-5855

County News