Correctional Education July Meeting Minutes - Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning

July 22, 2026
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Google Meet

Council Members

Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Co-Chair, Deputy Secretary Jason Perkins-Cohen, Co-Chair, Jack Weber, Jennifer Gauthier, Dr. Jessica Johnson, Dr. Kathleen M. Jordan-D'Ambrisi, Lyndsay Silva, Walter Sallee, Christina Krabitz, Timothy McIntosh Jr.

Staff and Guests

Amy Sines, Benjamin Mourad, Candace L. Stonebreaker, Cynthia Blackwell, Danielle Cox, David Arnold, Deron Crawford, Ellen Bredt, Ellen S. Rappaport, Erica DuBose, Francisco J. Vega, Ikea Barnes, Jennifer Swiech, John S. Feaster III, Karen Kotchka, Kari Pompilii, Katharine Lander, Lindsey McCullough, Rose Robinson, Marissa Yancone, Mary C. Keller, Matthew Strine, Patrick G. Hruz, Peggy DallAcqua, Shakera Lambert, Tanja M. Murphy, Tawanda Redding, Tricia Hopkins, Tyneshia L. Heath

Absent

Sarah Sheppard, Rachael Parker, MaryAnn Thompson Maryland Department of Labor (MD Labor) Deputy Secretary Jason Perkins-Cohen called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Because a quorum had not yet been established, voting items were deferred until additional members joined.

Approval of Minutes

Once a quorum was present, Jack Weber moved to approve the December 10, 2025 and April 22, 2026 meeting minutes. Jennifer Gauthier seconded the motion. With no opposition, both sets of minutes were approved unanimously.

Open Meetings Act

Director of Correctional Education Dr. Jessica Johnson reviewed the Council's responsibilities under the Maryland Open Meetings Act, including public notice, open access, accessible minutes, records retention, and designation of a trained member. Jack Weber moved to appoint Dr. Johnson as the Council's Open Meetings Act designee, and Jennifer Gauthier seconded the motion. The motion was approved without opposition.

FY26 Correctional Education Review and FY27 Focus

Library Services

Library Coordinator Jennifer Swiech reported more than 40,000 library visits and circulation of more than 47,000 items during FY26. Librarians completed more than 10,600 information and internet research requests and more than 9,400 legal research requests. Programming and proxy services were expanded through book-cart delivery to housing units and weekly service to segregation and infi rmary units. New initiatives included a family literacy project with the Maryland State Library, participation in the National Freedom Reads Inside Literary Prize, and preparations for statewide implementation of the Follett Destiny library management system.

Council members asked for comparative data and institution-level reporting on proxy service, book-cart delivery, and services to medical and segregation units. Correctional Education (CE) confi rmed that standardized records are retained and can be reported by institution and period. CE will provide the requested library service data to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) and will distribute multi-year program comparisons to Council members.

Occupational Programs

Dr. Erica DuBose, on behalf of Occupational Programs Coordinator Dr. Tamara Barron, reported 350 occupational program completions in FY26 and service to approximately 1,600 students. The nationally certifi ed peer recovery specialist program now operates in 10 institutions, with 218 students certifi ed and 90 registered peer supervisors trained. FY27 funding through Perkins and the Maryland Offi ce of Overdose Response increased by 67 percent in FY27. Priorities include shorter-term training and credential pathways, hybrid instruction, expanded workforce readiness workshops, and stronger continuity of instruction.

Academic Programs and Instructional Access

Academic Coordinator Patrick Hruz reported 329 GED completions in FY26, one fewer than FY25, with an 83 percent pass rate and 2,597 students served during the year. CE completed the transition to TABE 13/14, requiring statewide retesting and revised instructional planning. The program also expanded individualized learning plans, bimonthly student progress reviews, monthly classroom observations and coaching, quarterly instructional rounds, professional learning, and Smartboard use.

Tablet-based and virtual instruction were expanded to housing units at RCI and MCTC when students could not access school buildings. Council members requested monthly utilization data and an assessment of the relationship between tablet access, instructional participation, and GED outcomes. DPSCS noted that the Origin analytics platform can report student and program activity over time. CE and DPSCS will use available analytics to develop practical measures of reach and impact, document access barriers, and address occasions when staffing or escorts prevent tablet delivery. Secretary Scruggs asked CE to identify any facility-level obstacles so they can be addressed directly with wardens and institutional leadership.

Special Education

Special Education Coordinator Katharine Lander reported that IEP compliance increased from 44 percent to 59 percent, a gain of 15 percentage points. CE completed 45 psychological evaluations, achieved an 88 percent completion rate for speech and language services, and served approximately 150 special education students during the year. Thirty-five students earned adult secondary certifi cates, and two former students with IEPs earned GEDs. A full-time school psychologist began work on the day of the meeting, addressing a major statewide staffing gap.

The Council discussed the effect of student transfers, segregation placements, staff vacancies, and the October 1 enrollment count on compliance and special education funding. Ms. Lander will follow up with the Maryland State Department of Education regarding whether additional funding should follow eligible students and whether the funding calculation can better account for correctional education's transient enrollment.

Secretary Scruggs raised concern about students with disabilities remaining in segregation when behavior may be related to an emotional or mental health condition. DPSCS described available mental health tiers and the weekly disciplinary review process. Danielle Cox will convene CE special education and academic staff with DPSCS mental health leadership to review affected students, improve information sharing, and determine appropriate housing and services. CE and DPSCS will return at the next Council meeting with a coordination plan.

Transition Services

Coordinator of Transition Program Services Dr. Erica DuBose reported more than 2,200 transition program completions across 14 curricula in 15 institutions. FY26 work included entrance and reentry orientations, individualized transition planning, independent study, an entrepreneurship course and Shark Tank event, and development of introductory Spanish and American Sign Language courses with Towson University. Additional workshops are being developed to complement DPSCS mock job fairs beginning in FY27.

Continuous Improvement

Director Johnson summarized CE's continuous improvement work. Attendance and enrollment remained above 80 percent across school sites despite operating at approximately 70 percent capacity because of cost-containment and institutional limitations. CE reported 329 GEDs, approximately 350 occupational graduates, and more than 2,000 transition certifi cates. Monthly leadership meetings, teacher-leader professional learning communities, student progress monitoring, individualized learning plans, classroom observations, and coaching are being used to improve consistency and outcomes. FY27 professional learning will focus on differentiated instruction, fl exible grouping, varied learning activities and assessments, and multiple pathways to common learning objectives.

DPSCS Education and Postsecondary Programs

DPSCS Director of Education Danielle Cox presented DPSCS education and postsecondary data. Approximately 55 percent of individuals enter custody without a high school diploma or GED. A ten-year review of released Goucher College students who completed at least two semesters showed a 3 percent recidivism rate. DPSCS is continuing to analyze outcomes by prior incarceration history, education participation, credentials, employment, and recidivism.

Director Cox reviewed restoration of Pell Grant eligibility and Maryland's approval and oversight process for prison education programs. The Maryland Advisory Committee on Prison Education Programs participates in program approval and the federally required best-interest determination. Maryland also conducts six-month and one-year reviews before the two-year determination to provide institutions with earlier feedback and opportunities for improvement.

DPSCS reported 308 students currently enrolled in postsecondary programs and 70 graduates since the programs began. Current and planned partners include Goucher College, the University of Baltimore, Bowie State University, Georgetown University, Towson University, Anne Arundel Community College, and Hagerstown Community College. Most Goucher students and faculty transferred from Maryland Correctional Institution-Jessup to Roxbury Correctional Institution; DPSCS is also working to relocate relevant Maryland Correctional Enterprises operations and to identify alternate college options for students who remained in the Jessup area.

Technology investments include secure Chromebooks, JSTOR, an Origin learning management system, secure Google applications, expanded Wi-Fi, and a Smartsheet reporting portal for federal and state oversight. DPSCS will continue using Maryland Longitudinal Data System information to assess labor-market alignment, wages, and post-release outcomes.

Education, Employment, and Workforce Initiatives

DPSCS Deputy Director of Education Tanja Murphy described a Bureau of Justice Assistance-funded Education and Employment Specialist program. Specialists may begin working with participants up to 24 months before release and continue support for up to three years after release. Services include educational advising, career development, job placement, referrals, and wraparound support, initially for participants returning to Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Prince George's County. DPSCS and MD Labor are coordinating specialist and navigator roles to reduce duplication and will track contacts, referrals, barriers, and outcomes during the critical fi rst 30 and 90 days after release.

DPSCS also introduced three regional mobile commercial driver's license training trailers equipped with simulators and classroom space. Participants will complete pre-release instruction and be connected with community colleges for behind-the-wheel training and licensing after release. Additional partnerships include expansion of Vehicles for Change virtual automotive training, certifi ed peer recovery programming, and forklift and Commercial Driver’s License training simulator at the Maryland Correctional Training Center.

Concluding Remarks

Ellen Rappaport conveyed Secretary Scruggs's appreciation and emphasized continued integrated partnership between DPSCS and MD Labor. Jack Weber moved to adjourn, and Dr. Kathleen M. Jordan-D'Ambrisi seconded the motion. With no opposition, the meeting was adjourned at 12:58 p.m.