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Incarcerated men sit at classroom desks inside a classroom at an Illinois prison
Lee V. Gaines/Illinois Public Media

News Local/State

Lack Of Access, Long Waitlists: Education In Illinois Prisons

Gray isn’t the only person incarcerated in Illinois prisons that isn’t able to further their education. A lack of teachers, funding and the department’s own policies prevent many from obtaining their GED, associates degree or a trade skill. 

An Illinois Department of Corrections policy stipulates that once a class is full, inmates are placed on the waiting list in order of their release date, with those getting out soonest receiving priority.

Illinois Arts Council Agency

These programs are partially sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.