25 Jail Inmates Earn High School Equivalency Diploma

While their family members looked on Saturday (October 19, 2019), 25 inmates at the St. Tammany Jail received their high school equivalency diplomas as part of the St. Tammany Parish Jail’s first graduation ceremony. Of the 28 who tested as part of the first class for the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) course, 25 passed and earned their High School Equivalency Diploma.

Through a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Louisiana Department of Corrections, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office provides Department of Corrections offenders, who are convicted in and/or are returning to the Florida Parishes Regions of the state upon their release, with services that will assist them with their re-entry into the community.



As part of the Re-Entry Program, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office offers a number of classes promoting change, self-awareness/improvement, recovery living and education, this includes courses on parenting, anger management and an opportunity to earn a High School Equivalency Diploma while incarcerated.

Students participate in a classroom setting using a computer-based learning program and are under the tutelage of an instructor provided by the Department of Corrections. The offenders are able to earn up to 360 days of good time credit as an incentive for taking the classes while incarcerated.

“It is important that we continue to remind offenders that their past does not have to define their future,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “I am pleased my office is able to provide offenders an opportunity to expand their thought process and performance in order to evolve into productive and efficient citizens. I am proud of these men who worked hard to achieve their diplomas.”