Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility

Friday, April 10, 2015

Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility lies north of Gainesville in a small town called Alto. Driving up the highway early Friday morning I was wondering what what lying in store for me.

During this past state capitol session, the governor has granted more money to essentially educate inmates at correctional facilities across the state. Lee Arrendale State Prison, an all female institution, is going to be one of the first facilities to receive this money. The thought is that the more educated someone is, the less likely they will wind back up in a correctional facility.

After heading through security I was escorted to the first of many stops throughout the morning. The prison already has numerous educational tracts set up with a GED program, a charter school and a vocational trade school. My reporter and I talked with inmates from all three of these tracts. We sat in on classes and asked questions. We even got to witness a graduation ceremony for theological studies where more than 45 women received their certificates of study.

We had the opportunity to glance into the lives of inmates trying to correct their mistakes and make their lives better.

The Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto has a charter school as well as a GED program and a vocational trade school to help inmates become more educated and get their certificates.

The Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto has a charter school as well as a GED program and a vocational trade school to help inmates become more educated and get their certificates.

The Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto has a charter school as well as a GED program and a vocational trade school to help inmates become more educated and get their certificates.

The Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto has a charter school as well as a GED program and a vocational trade school to help inmates become more educated and get their certificates.

Krystal Almaraz talks about working on getting her high school diploma through the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Krystal Almaraz talks about working on getting her high school diploma through the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Camelia Ponce flips through a novel as she sits in the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Camelia Ponce flips through a novel as she sits in the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Lauren Disher talks about working on getting her high school diploma through the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Lauren Disher talks about working on getting her high school diploma through the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Krystal Almaraz (right) works on linear programming as she works to get her high school diploma through the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Krystal Almaraz (right) works on linear programming as she works to get her high school diploma through the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Camelia Ponce talks about getting her high school diploma through the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Camelia Ponce talks about getting her high school diploma through the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Lauren Disher looks at a dictionary while working on an English packet, part of getting her high school diploma through the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Lauren Disher looks at a dictionary while working on an English packet, part of getting her high school diploma through the charter school program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Champion works on math problems during a tutoring session at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Champion works on math problems during a tutoring session at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Amanda Momin talks about working for her GED at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Amanda Momin talks about working for her GED at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Ivy Champion (center) works on math problems during a tutoring session at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Ivy Champion (center) works on math problems during a tutoring session at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Amanda Momin (center) works on math problems during a tutoring session at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Amanda Momin (center) works on math problems during a tutoring session at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Ivy Champion talks about working for her GED at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Ivy Champion talks about working for her GED at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Ivy Champion (right) works on math problems during a tutoring session at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Ivy Champion (right) works on math problems during a tutoring session at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Inmates help train dogs during obedience class as part of the Forever Friends K-9 Rescue program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Inmates help train dogs during obedience class as part of the Forever Friends K-9 Rescue program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Tyeisha Marshall (center) works with Fluffy, a pit bull, during obedience class as part of the Forever Friends K-9 Rescue program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Tyeisha Marshall (center) works with Fluffy, a pit bull, during obedience class as part of the Forever Friends K-9 Rescue program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Cara Hensley (center) gets China, a stratford terrier, to give her a high five during obedience class as part of the Forever Friends K-9 Rescue program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Cara Hensley (center) gets China, a stratford terrier, to give her a high five during obedience class as part of the Forever Friends K-9 Rescue program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Sharonda Clifford (left) and Ashley Ritner look at the brakes on a pickup truck during automotive class at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Sharonda Clifford (left) and Ashley Ritner look at the brakes on a pickup truck during automotive class at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Kiara Miller (left) and Amanda Chaney look at the brakes on a pickup truck during automotive class at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Kiara Miller (left) and Amanda Chaney look at the brakes on a pickup truck during automotive class at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Shana Rosalez (center) talks about the vocational trade school at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto and how being a part of the program has impacted her life on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Shana Rosalez (center) talks about the vocational trade school at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto and how being a part of the program has impacted her life on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Amanda Chaney (left), Kiara Miller and another inmate look at the brakes on a pickup truck during automotive class at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Amanda Chaney (left), Kiara Miller and another inmate look at the brakes on a pickup truck during automotive class at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Erin Jordan works on projects in electrical class at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Erin Jordan works on projects in electrical class at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

L.C. "Buster" Evans, assistant commissioner with the Georgia Department of Corrections, talks about Governor Deal's prison charter school initiative and the benefits of educating inmates at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

L.C. “Buster” Evans, assistant commissioner with the Georgia Department of Corrections, talks about Governor Deal’s prison charter school initiative and the benefits of educating inmates at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Courtnee Cunningham (front left) waits to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Courtnee Cunningham (front left) waits to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Teresa Kohnle (left) waits to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Teresa Kohnle (left) waits to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

L.C. "Buster" Evans speaks during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

L.C. “Buster” Evans speaks during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Lorraine McKnight (right) waits to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Lorraine McKnight (right) waits to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Shenneake Simms (center) wipes a tear from her eye during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Shenneake Simms (center) wipes a tear from her eye during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Lenna Highland (center) waits to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Lenna Highland (center) waits to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Courtnee Cunningham (left), Ameshia Ervin and other graduates clap and cheer during the certificate ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Courtnee Cunningham (left), Ameshia Ervin and other graduates clap and cheer during the certificate ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Natasha Demery (right) waits to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Natasha Demery (right) waits to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Patricia Stapler (right) is handed her certificate by Cathy Zappa during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Patricia Stapler (right) is handed her certificate by Cathy Zappa during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Malaika Hunt (left) walks up to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Malaika Hunt (left) walks up to receive her certificate during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Sonya Bamberg (left) is handed her certificate by Cathy Zappa during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Sonya Bamberg (left) is handed her certificate by Cathy Zappa during the graduation ceremony for theological studies at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Veronica Fuller (center) hugs Ameshia Ervin (left) after graduating from the theological studies certficate program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Veronica Fuller (center) hugs Ameshia Ervin (left) after graduating from the theological studies certficate program at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Wearing her cap and gown, Sandra Daniel walks back through security at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Wearing her cap and gown, Sandra Daniel walks back through security at the Lee Arrendale Correctional Facility in Alto on Friday, April 10, 2015.