The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) offers a quality adult education program to current offenders that helps them become more productive workers, family members, and citizens while incarcerated and upon release from prison. Programs are offered at four different correctional institutions throughout the state. Offenders are provided with educational offerings focused on academics, vocational training and life skills for successful re-entry back into their communities.

Correctional Education Programs

Through Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes, offenders receive instruction on reading, writing and math to pass the GED® test. Curriculum follows the state standards and benchmarks set by the Delaware Department of Education. Offenders are pre-tested to find their current educational functioning level (EFL). Students may also earn Certificates of Attainment (COA) for successful completion of the state benchmarks.
Adult prison education programs are offered at Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution (BWCI), Howard R. Young Correctional Institution (HRYCI), James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC), and at Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI).

Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution (BWCI)

BWCI provides education services to an all-female population at BWCI in New Castle, Delaware. The Education Department services approximately 400 students annually. The Education Department provides instructional services in concert with the treatment programming offered to aide in the re-entry and transitional process for the incarcerated population at BWCI. Students are able to enroll in coursework that is in line to meet educational needs upon returning to the community. The education program at BWCI is designed to utilize inmate tutors to assist with the education process.

  • Adult Basic Education, ESL, and GED®
  • James H. Groves High School Diploma
  • Special Education Services
  • Prison College

  • Life Skills: Coursework covering a plethora of transitional skills including, but not limited to Moral Reconation Therapy, Interpersonal Skills, Anger & Stress Management, Financial Management and Employment skills.
  • Computers: Computer labs are available for offenders to learn a wide range of computer literacy skills. Students are able to attain completion certificates in Keyboarding, Windows OS, MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Publisher.
  • Culinary Arts: Students can earn certificates in Serv Safe, Intro to Baking, Human Resource Mgmt, Gardening, Food Service Worker I, Food Service Worker II, Hospitality & Service and Nutrition & Institutional Cooking, a combined total of 400 hours.

Dr. Dwight Boney, Teacher/Supervisor
Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution
660 Baylor Blvd
New Castle, DE 19720
Phone:  (302) 577-3004 ext. 1140
Fax:  (302) 577-7099Email Dwight Boney

Howard R. Young Correctional Institution (HRYCI)

HRYCI enrolls 450 offenders annually in educational programming to provide quality education services to male offenders. In addition to classes being held in the immediate Education area, HRYCI has a unique education operation in that classes are also held in the housing unit specifically designed for academic instruction and achievement. There is also a 24 hr., 365 day continuous Life Skills program which is offered on the housing unit of the individuals participating. The education program at HRYCI is designed to utilize inmate tutors to assist with the education process.

  • Adult Basic Education, ESL, and GED®
  • James H. Groves High School Diploma
  • Special Education Services
  • Prison College

  • Life Skills: Coursework covering a plethora of transitional skills including, but not limited to Moral Reconation Therapy, Interpersonal Skills, Anger & Stress Management, Financial Management and Employment skills.
  • Computers: Students earn completion certificates in MS Word and MS Excel.
  • Flagger Certification: This short training course enables offenders to become certified as a flagger for traffic/construction employment.

Amanda Smagala, Teacher/Supervisor
Howard R. Young Correctional Institution
1301 E 12th St
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone:  (302) 429-7740
Fax:  (302) 429-7711Email Amanda Smagala

James T. Vaughn Correctional Center

James T. Vaughn Correctional Center provides quality education services to incarcerated men housed from minimum to maximum security levels. Education services are provided to over 1000 students per year in academic and vocational programming. The program also utilizes the skills of inmate Instructional Aides who assist teachers in the classroom, tutor students, and help with record keeping and other office duties. Prison Education staff work closely with the Department of Correction and JTVCC Security and Treatment staff to offer as many educational and training programs as possible.

  • Adult Basic Education, ESL, and GED®
  • James H. Groves High School Diploma
  • Special Education Services
  • Prison College

  • Life Skills: Coursework covering a plethora of transitional skills including, but not limited to Moral Reconation Therapy, Interpersonal Skills, Anger & Stress Management, Financial Management and Employment skills.
  • Computers: Computer labs are available for offenders to learn a wide range of computer literacy skills. Students are able to attain completion certificates in Keyboarding, Windows OS, MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Publisher
  • Automotive Technology: This course provides instruction in maintenance and repair including: detailing, general maintenance, engine repair, automatic transmission/transaxle; suspension and steering; brakes; electrical/electronic systems; heating and air conditioning; and engine performance. All instruction focuses on the content needed to receive Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.
  • Culinary Arts: Students can earn certificates in Serv Safe, Intro to Baking, Human Resource Mgmt, Gardening, Food Service Worker I, Food Service Worker II, Hospitality & Service and Nutrition & Institutional Cooking, a combined total of 400 hours.

Sandra Waldee-Warden, Teacher/Supervisor
James T. Vaughn Correctional Center
1181 Paddock Road
Smyrna, DE 19977
Phone:  (302) 653-9261 ext. 2915
Fax:  (302) 653-6625Email Sandra Waldee-Warden

Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI)

SCI Education serves as many as 500 enrolled adult male students annually in multiple academic and vocational areas. The program is supported by 22 inmate tutors who work with teachers to provide tutoring to students in the classrooms and perform recordkeeping/office tasks that support instructional efforts. Offenders attend classes five days a week.

  • Adult Basic Education, ESL, and GED®
  • James H. Groves High School Diploma
  • Special Education Services
  • Prison College

  • Life Skills: Coursework covering a plethora of transitional skills including, but not limited to Moral Reconation Therapy, Interpersonal Skills, Anger & Stress Management, Financial Management and Employment skills.
  • Computers: Computer labs are available for offenders to learn a wide range of computer literacy skills. Students are able to attain completion certificates in Keyboarding, Windows OS, MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Publisher
  • Masonry: Courses are provided through industry recommended curriculum including hands-on and classroom learning activities. Successful completion of these courses leads to National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER) certification.

Kristi King, Teacher/Supervisor
Sussex Correctional Institution
23203 S. DuPont Highway
P.O. Box 500
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone:  (302) 856-5603/(302) 856-5280 ext. 5363
Fax:  (302) 856-5642Email Kristi King

Program Services

ABE provides instruction to improve the academic skills of adults with less than 9th grade level skills.

The GED® preparation component provides an opportunity for adults to learn and demonstrate skills that will allow them to attain a secondary credential.

The ESL program provides instruction to improve English language proficiency for adults whose primary language is not English.

The Groves Adult High School is the only statewide secondary adult high school in the nation.  It is approved the Delaware State Board of Education and is accredited by the Middle States Association for Colleges and Schools.  James H. Groves Adult High School provides educational opportunities at the high school level that lead to graduation with a diploma.

The Life Skills Program, which incorporates Moral Reconation Therapy, provides training to participants enrolled in the program.  Program completers gain the skills to assume responsibility for making positive future choices.

Special education services are provided to qualifying individuals. Services follow the State of Delaware guidelines for students who have been determined to have a special disability for which additional educational resources are needed. Individual Education Programs (IEPs) are in place for eligible learners who are diagnosed with a disability.

The Vocational Skills program offers occupational skills instruction.  Competencies gained enable participants to secure employment upon release from the institution.  There are also opportunities for learners to obtain specialized employment with the facility after obtaining vocational skills.

Additional Resources

Prison Education Accreditations

Federal Regulations

State Code and Regulations

For information on ordering your transcripts and/or GED credential please see GED/Groves Transcripts.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns please contact the Prison Education Program Office at 302-857-3340.