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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2007

For More Information: Annette Barnette
Public Relations & Marketing Director
����ֱ�� State College
����ֱ��, West Virginia
(304) 462-4115

Washington, D.C. -- ����ֱ�� State College could establish a pilot two-year on-site degree program for inmates at the federal correctional facility in Gilmer County as a result of action by Congressman Alan Mollohan in a House-passed appropriations bill.

Mollohan explained that when the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill for 2008, it approved a measure that will make $200,000 available to ����ֱ�� if the Senate approves the bill and the President signs it. Mollohan is chairman of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee.

“This project is very promising for a large number of people,” Mollohan said. “It builds upon work already undertaken by the College at the correctional facility that will enhance the ability of prisoners to change their lives and qualify for future employment opportunities while broadening the expertise of ����ֱ��’s faculty to meet the needs of a very specific segment of our society. I am looking forward to great progress that can serve as a model for other areas of the Nation.”

����ֱ�� State College President Peter B. Barr explained that ����ֱ�� has been offering college coursework at the federal correctional facility in Gilmer County since 2005; however, those offerings were for business-related certificate programs. He said the new pilot program would enable ����ֱ�� to offer courses leading to a fully accredited two-year degree program.

“We have offered a total of 31 programs on-site to inmates at FCI-Gilmer,” Barr said. “This has been a very positive relationship for both the college and the prison. Both federal corrections personnel and inmates alike have voiced overwhelming satisfaction with ����ֱ�� State College’s programs at the prison.”

Barr pointed out that research shows that inmates who leave prison with either a degree or some college courses are less likely to return to prison than those who have little or no education.

“We are very pleased that Congressman Mollohan has been able to support these efforts because we believe they will lead to positive experiences for ����ֱ�� State College and the facility’s prison population,” Barr said.

Mollohan said that the program will include mechanisms that will allow ����ֱ�� faculty and students to track the progress of inmates who obtain degrees.