Agency News

January 15, 2025

In 2024, the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) achieved an excellent year with 596 incarcerated students earning their High School Equivalency (HSE, commonly referred to as GED). This represents a 39% increase from 2023, when 430 students earned their HSE. The 596 students who received their HSE is the highest number for the VADOC since 2015.

“Earning a GED is a significant accomplishment for students and an important public safety strategy to prepare them for reentry,” said VADOC Director Chad Dotson. “GEDs are correlated with lowered recidivism and higher employment after release. Our educational programs help launch students into different professions and careers, enabling them to support themselves and their families. I am proud of the inmates who earned their GEDs in 2024 and recognize the hard work of VADOC’s dedicated Correctional Education staff, facility Wardens/Superintendents, and their staff for ensuring these quality services are provided.”

Throughout the year, staff at all VADOC facilities work with students to identify their needs and create personalized learning plans to ensure effective teaching for students enrolled in the HSE program. Many students enrolled in intensive remediation courses focused on targeted content areas. VADOC operates evidence-based literacy and adult education programs, with the goal of students progressing to the GED level.

“Our students have come a long way and have worked hard in the classroom to earn their GEDs,” said Dr. Rodney Berry, VADOC Superintendent of Education. “As happy as the students are to earn their GEDs, our staff is thrilled to see their hard work pay off in the classroom. It is very rewarding and gratifying to see this outcome. We aim to carry over the success we have built in 2024 into 2025.”

VADOC’s Central Region produced the most graduates among the three VADOC geographic regions with 207 HSE recipients. The Western Region had 195 students receive their HSE and 194 in the Eastern Region. River North Correctional Center in the Western Region led the way with 48 students receiving their HSE, followed by Lunenburg Correctional Center in the Central Region with 45 students, and Green Rock Correctional Center in the Western Region with 37.