Indiana Governor Eric Braun announced Thursday that the state’s Department of Correction is renewing its ten‑year partnership with Ivy Tech Community College. The agreement, first launched in 2016, will continue to provide a range of vocational and academic courses to the roughly 6,500 inmates housed in the department’s 15 adult facilities.
Reentry focus drives the renewal
“Strengthening reentry programs is a priority for my administration because what happens inside our correctional facilities has a direct impact on public safety,” Braun said. He noted that after taking office in 2025, he directed the Department of Correction to expand opportunities that help recently released individuals secure stable employment.
Commissioner Lloyd Arnold echoed the governor’s view, calling the partnership a “critical component” of the department’s effort to prepare people for life after incarceration. “We don’t want them to be idle while serving time. We want them to take advantage of what’s available through partnerships like the one we have with Ivy Tech,” Arnold said.
Program growth and outcomes
According to officials, enrollment in correctional education programs has risen by more than 3,000 students since 2021. Annual completions have more than doubled, climbing from 1,272 graduates in 2021 to 2,833 in 2025. The expanded curriculum includes welding, culinary arts, cosmetology and other trade skills, all leading to industry‑recognized certifications. Basic adult education classes also help inmates earn a high‑school equivalency diploma.
State‑wide, 140 Ivy Tech instructors now deliver instruction inside the facilities, providing a structured learning environment that aims to reduce recidivism and improve public safety.
Local impact
The renewal is expected to benefit families and communities across Indiana by increasing the likelihood that former inmates will find lawful work upon release. By equipping participants with marketable skills, the program aligns with the administration’s broader goal of fostering safer neighborhoods and stronger families.
Governor Braun concluded, “Continuing this partnership with Ivy Tech is an important investment in that work. We have a responsibility to prepare people for life after prison and give them a real opportunity to succeed.”
Original reporting: 14 News WFIE Evansville (news) — read the source article.
