Educational Services-Maryland Department of Labor
Adult Basic Education (ABE), including GED instruction and testing, English as a Second Language (ESL), Special Education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Reentry/Transition classes are provided in partnership with the Maryland Department of Labor (Labor). Labor, in conjunction with DPSCS, is responsible for developing, modifying, overseeing, and monitoring the ABE, GED, ESL, Special Education, CTE, and Transition educational programs operating in each of Maryland's state prisons. Under the authority of the Correctional Education Council (CEC), Labor and Employment Article, && 11-902(b) and 11-903, Annotated Code of Maryland. The CEC, led jointly by the Secretary of Labor and Secretary of DPSCS, was established in 2008 to oversee the implementation of the Labor Correctional Education program. Additional information on the CEC and Labor Correctional Education activities can be found here: CEC - Correctional Education Council Activity Report for the Fiscal Year 2024 (PDF)
Students can participate in academic, occupational, workforce development, and life skills courses. Program accomplishments for FY2024 include 264 high school diplomas (GED) earned; 1,143 adult basic education completions; 1,176 occupational completions; and, 660 reentry course completions. The following brochure lists available Correctional Education programs provided by Labor: CE Programs Brochure (PDF).
DPSCS also partners with Labor to provide library services, as required by state and federal law. The Correctional Education Libraries provide services that meet informational, recreational, lifelong learning, legal, and transitional needs of incarcerated individuals, preparing them to be successful returning citizens. For additional information, please see: https://dpscs.maryland.gov/corrections/book_donations.shtml. If you are interested in donating books to our libraries, you can find the Book Donation Form here: Book Donation Form (PDF).
Further information on the Correctional Education services provided by Labor can be found at: https://www.labor.maryland.gov/ce/