First inmate at Washington County Jail completes GED program

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas (KNWA/KFTA) – The Washington County Detention Center is seeing success with its General Education Diploma program and this year one of its inmates received his GED certificate.

Anthony Smith decided to take advantage of the prison's GED program to have better opportunities after his release.

Washington County Sheriff Jay Cantrell says it was a challenge for Smith, but he did the work necessary and got it done.

“I read everything I get a chance to and just try to learn as much as I can,” Smith said.

Washington County Jail reinstates GED classes

Smith participated in the county jail's GED program from last fall until late spring of this year.

“It's just the next step in my further education, into better paying jobs that will open more doors and opportunities for me. I hope it's just the beginning,” Smith said.

According to Cantrell, the program was initially suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19.

But they eventually partnered with the Fayetteville Adult Education Program and were able to reinstate GED courses.

“To make it accessible to some of our inmates that we want to get involved in the work,” Cantrell said. “We're excited to get it going again and see success with this program.”

The program is already beginning to recognize this.

Smith is the first inmate to graduate and receive a GED certificate since the program was reinstated.

“I was proud and grateful for the program. I'm glad other people can do this too,” Smith said.

“We knew he could do it, and there are so many who can,” said Jessica Ferguson, a GED instructor

Ferguson taught Smith and many other prisoners.

“I ended up in adult education and I enjoyed it so much. And it was so rewarding that I decided to stay and I've had a lot of fun there every year,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson teaches two hours a day, two days a week, exploring a variety of topics.

“Social science thinking through language arts and an essay, science and math,” Ferguson said.

Smith used this program as a springboard to turn his life around.

“Obviously I don’t want to go back there and just continue my education and start a new chapter,” Smith said.

The Washington County Detention Center hopes to begin the next GED class next week.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather reports, sports reports and streaming videos, visit KNWA FOX24.