MONTGOMERY – Among only four featured guests at Governor Kay Ivey’s State of the State address on Tuesday, February 4, was an Alabama community college graduate whose life was positively impacted through correctional education in the state.

In her address, Governor Ivey honored Ingram State Technical College (ISTC) alum Brandie McCain. McCain studied at Ingram State in 2018 while incarcerated at Tutwiler Prison for Women. She currently works as an office administrator and staff recruiter at Wright Way Staffing and Logistics in Fairfield.

As a student at Ingram State, McCain – within just a year’s time – completed the coursework needed to earn three industry-recognized certificates. The certificates included the Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) credential from the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) that she earned while participating in the Logistics and Supply Chain Management program.

Alabama became the first state in the nation to roll out the MSSC credentials at every community college in the statein October 2017. McCain is one of 50 Ingram students to earn the MSSC CLA and/or Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) credentials.

Prior to her release from prison, McCain worked with the job placement team at Ingram State to find available job opportunities where she could use her newly acquired skills. She was hired at Wright Way Staffing and Logistics after her release and quickly advanced to the role of Office Administrator and Staffing Recruiter. In her role, McCain gives back by looking to hire other qualified ISTC graduates.

According to research from the RAND Corporation, inmates who participate in correctional education programs have 43 percent lower odds of recidivating than inmates who do not. Last year, the ACCS served more than 3,500 justice-involved students from Alabama’s prisons, county jails, and day reporting centers. Alabama’s community colleges provide adult basic education in 22 correctional facilities and 17 county jails. Ten correctional facilities also receive career training in one of 22 technical programs from their local community colleges.

“Ms. McCain is a shining example of the difference education can make in someone’s life,” said Alabama Community College System Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker, “When you combine education and training with individual determination lives are changed which in turn improves families and betters communities. Corrections education is a vital part of addressing issues within Alabama’s prison system and Alabama’s community colleges are committed to being part of the solution.”

Ingram State Technical College is a member of the Alabama Community College System and is the only postsecondary institution in the country that exclusively serves an incarcerated population. For more than 50 years, ISTC has been committed to providing comprehensive educational services to incarcerated adults in order to reduce recidivism and return responsible citizens to society.

“On behalf of all Ingram employees who are engaged daily to reduce recidivism and change lives, I thank Governor Ivey for recognizing our successful graduate, Ms. McCain, and by extension, the hundreds of recent graduates and current students working to complete certificates and contribute positively to Alabama’s workforce and their families,” said ISTC President Annette Funderburk.

To learn more about corrections and post-corrections efforts within the Alabama Community College System, visit: https://www.accs.edu/correctional-and-post-correctional-ed/.

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About ACCS
With 24 community colleges in more than 130 locations, the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) is Alabama’s gateway to first-class, affordable education and technical training to compete in a constantly evolving workforce. More than 174,000 Alabamians benefit from the various certification, credential, dual enrollment and degree programs ACCS offers alongside leading industry partners. The System includes the Alabama Technology Network, which provides extensive training and service offerings directly to business and industry. ACCS is governed by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees.