蘑菇tv Transitional Studies earns top honors in prison education vocational challenge
More than doubling its High School Equivalency Test pass rate in 2025 over the previous year, 蘑菇tv was awarded a certificate of appreciation for completing the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction鈥檚 Vocational Challenge. Offenders held at Tabor Correctional Institution and Columbus Correctional Institution earned their high school equivalency diploma through the Transitional Studies and Prison Education programs at 蘑菇tv. 听
On Oct.听23, 蘑菇tv hosted听a听North Carolina Prison Education Symposium听in the 蘑菇tv auditorium.听Transitional Studies Recruiter/HSE Examiner Larry Everette and听Education Facilitator听Raymond Long accepted the certificate of appreciation at the symposium on behalf of 蘑菇tv.听听
After accepting the award, Everette said this recognition 鈥渟hines a light鈥� on students who are听concealed and confined but are making attempts at furthering their education. He said that earning a high school equivalency diploma听helps prepare the听offenders for life outside of prison.听He explained that both Tabor Correctional and Columbus Correctional both obtained their pass rate goal set听forth by the vocational challenge.听听
鈥淎 mind is a terrible thing to waste,鈥� Everette said. 鈥淲ithin those prison walls, all they have is time on their hands. Having Transitional Studies and the entire Prison Education system helping prepare these听offenders听to be model citizens once they are released, this is听a win-win situation for everyone.鈥�听
A sense of accomplishment听and wanting to do better for their spouse, children听or听parents听makes up the majority of reasons for听completing the听HiSET, Long added. He听emphasized the importance of the instructors at Tabor Correctional and Columbus Correctional and their dedication to听helping the听offenders.听听
鈥淚t takes courage to do what they do,鈥� Long said.听鈥淣one of the听offenders would听be successful without those instructors.鈥�听
Transitional Studies Director Veronica Powell said that competing in this challenge and meeting the听pass rate goal was a听morale听boost for the听offenders.听She explained that for some听offenders in these classes, it is the only time they get to see and interact with other people.听听
鈥淪ome of those behind the prison walls are discouraged because of their听outlook on life and where they are,鈥� Powell said. 鈥淔or听participating听in our program and earning their diploma, they get time deducted from their prison听sentences.听Once these听offenders听are released, this diploma makes听them more marketable in finding a job.鈥�听
Powell recalled a graduation ceremony at Tabor Correctional, where an offender was so happy to see his mom there and watch him get his high school equivalency diploma. She said those instances where offenders are trying to show improvement and make strides towards a better future make her department鈥檚 work worth doing. 听
Powell also commended the dedicated instructors working at the prisons. She said her instructors 鈥渢ruly care鈥� about the offenders and making sure they pass their HiSET. 听
Ready to earn your high school equivalency diploma? Contact the Transitional Studies office at 910-788-6401 or click here to get started. 听
