View the Listing of All Inmate Programs and Services
Act 309
| Description: | The Act 309 program houses incarcerated individuals in contracted jails across the state. While in the county jail, participants work in and around the facility. This program can help individuals increase their work skills and employment options after release. |
| Delivery Method: | Practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Not applicable |
| Eligibility: | Class I or eligible for class I status; no disciplinary violations for 90 days; no objection from victim(s), sheriff, or prosecuting attorney; approved medical classification |
| Facility: | Contracted county jails |
Advanced PAL (APAL)
| Description: | This program is a Bible-based program that aims to promote responsibility, integrity, and accountability among participants. A primary aim of APAL is to teach participants biblical principles to help with their psychological, educational, physical, and spiritual needs. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Chaplain | Bachelor of Arts or Science in a social science field or experience in corrections. Ecclesiastical endorsement. |
| Eligibility: | Class I, II, III, (class IV inmates may be considered upon request); no disciplinary violations in the last 60 days |
| Facility: | Barbara Ester, Benny Magness, McPherson |
Agriculture Equipment Technician
| Description: | This 200-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District teaches participants to maintain and operate agricultural equipment through classroom and on-the-job training. This Career Technical Education (CTE) program can improve participants’ employment opportunities once they are released. |
| Delivery Method: | Digital or workbook and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Farm supervisor and CTE instructor | Farming experience |
| Eligibility: | Farm job assignment |
| Facility: | Cummins |
Anger Management (SAMHSA)
| Description: | This 12-week intervention offered by Wellpath is designed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration aims to help individuals recognize the warning signs of anger and to respond in healthier, controlled way. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person and instructor-led learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Mental health technicians | Bachelor of Arts or Science in a social science field or experience in corrections |
| Eligibility: | Class I, II, or III; no disciplinary violations in last 60 days; ORAS-, staff-, or self-referred |
| Facility: | Barbara Ester, Benny Magness, Cummins, Delta, East Arkansas Regional, Grimes, Larry B. Norris, McPherson, Ouachita River, Pine Bluff, Randall L. Williams, Tucker, Varner, Wrightsville, Wrightsville-Hawkins |
Barber Instructor
| Description: | This 600-hour course offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District prepares barbers who wish to teach students the technical and practical components of cutting hair. This CTE program can improve participants’ employment opportunities once they are released. Any hours obtained during incarceration can be transferred to another barber school in Arkansas. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led, and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Licensed barber instructor | Licensed barber |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations; a licensed barber; meets all prerequisites required by the State of Arkansas |
| Facility: | Grimes |
Barber School
| Description: | This 1,500-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District teaches students about cutting and grooming men’s hair and facial hair. Any hours obtained during incarceration can be transferred to another barber school in Arkansas. By completing this program, participants increase their employment opportunities and their educational attainment. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led, and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Licensed barber instructor | Licensed barber and barber instructor |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; at least an 8th grade education; all prerequisites required by the State of Arkansas |
| Facility: | Grimes |
Basic Residential Mechanics
| Description: | This 200-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District teaches tool safety and familiarizes students with basic auto and lawn equipment maintenance. This CTE program can improve participants’ employment opportunities once they are released. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led, and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Career and technical faculty | National Center for Construction Education and Research – approved; general maintenance experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | Varner |
Building and Grounds Maintenance
| Description: | This 600-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District introduces students to a range of construction-related topics and skills, such as power and hand tools, construction design, material handling, masonry, floor systems, and framing techniques. This CTE program can improve participants’ employment opportunities after release. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led, and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Career and technical faculty | General construction experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | East Arkansas Regional, Ouachita River, Varner |
Building Trades – Basics
| Description: | This 200-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District teaches students to safely use tools and equipment commonly used in homes and on jobsites. This CTE program can improve participants’ employment opportunities once they are released. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led, and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Career and technical faculty | General construction and maintenance experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | East Arkansas Regional, Ouachita River, Varner |
Change Company Journals
| Description: | The Change Company Journals through Wellpath offers curriculum tracks that vary from 10–to 19-weeks. Topic includes the foundations of communication skills, interpersonal violence prevention, and gender-responsive parenting skills. These journals can impact well-being. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Mental health technician | Bachelor of Arts or Science in a social science field or experience in corrections |
| Eligibility: | ORAS-, staff-, or self-referred |
| Facility: | Barbara Ester, Benny Magness, Cummins, Delta, East Arkansas Regional, Grimes, Larry B. Norris, McPherson, Ouachita River, Pine Bluff, Randall L. Williams, Tucker, Varner, Wrightsville, Wrightsville-Hawkins |
Commercial and Residential Roofing
| Description: | This 600-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District teaches students the skills needed for employment in the roofing industry. This CTE program can increase participants’ job skills and their employment options once they are released. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led learning, and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Career and technical faculty | General construction and roofing experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | Varner |
Computer Application Technology
| Description: | This 600-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District introduces participants to office procedures, computer operating systems, Microsoft Office products, keyboarding, and basic business writing. Computer Application Technology can improve participants’ employment opportunities after release. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person and instructor-led learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Career and technical faculty | Computer experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | McPherson, Ouachita River, Pine Bluff |
Computer Science
| Description: | This 600-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District introduces participants to computational thinking, problem-solving, coding, networks, and cybersecurity. This CTE program can improve participants’ job skills and employment options once they are released. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person and instructor-led learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Career and technical faculty | Computer experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | McPherson |
Cosmetology
| Description: | This 1,500-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District is designed to train students to become licensed cosmetologists. Any hours obtained during incarceration can transfer to another cosmetology school in Arkansas. By completing this program, participants increase their employment opportunities and their educational attainment. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led, and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Licensed cosmetology instructor | Licensed cosmetologist and cosmetology instructor |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations; high school diploma or GED; meets all prerequisites required by the State of Arkansas |
| Facility: | McPherson |
Cosmetology Instructor
| Description: | This 600-hour course offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District prepares cosmetologists who wish to teach students the technical and practical components of cosmetology. This CTE program can improve participants’ employment opportunities once they are released. Any hours obtained during incarceration can transfer to another cosmetology school in Arkansas. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led, and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Licensed cosmetology instructor | Licensed cosmetologist |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations; licensed cosmetologist; meets all prerequisites required by the State of Arkansas |
| Facility: | McPherson |
Criminal and Addictive Thinking
| Description: | Criminal and Addictive Thinking is a 9-week intervention offered by Wellpath that addresses patterns of offending through cognitive restructuring. Groups meet once a week and primarily focus on cognitive distortions, minimizations, and justifications. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person and instructor-led learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Mental health technicians | Bachelor of Arts or Science |
| Eligibility: | Class I, II, or III; no disciplinary violations in last 60 days; ORAS-, staff-, or self-referred |
| Facility: | Barbara Ester, Benny Magness, Cummins, Delta, East Arkansas Regional, Grimes, Larry B. Norris, McPherson, Ouachita River, Pine Bluff, Randall L. Williams, Tucker, Varner, Wrightsville, Wrightsville-Hawkins |