View the Listing of All Inmate Programs and Services
Manufacturing Skills
| Description: | This 600-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District covers the fundamental and technical skills required for individuals seeking a career in the manufacturing industry. This course can increase student’s employability after release. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led, and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Career and technical faculty | Manufacturing experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | Benny Magness, Varner |
Money Management
| Description: | This 16-week program focuses on basic financial skills, including account management, budgeting, and savings. These skills can improve their well-being and help reduce the barriers to reintegration. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Corrections program specialist | Bachelor of Arts or Science in a social science field or experience in corrections |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no disciplinary violations for six to 12 months (varies by violation) |
| Facility: | Barbara Ester |
Office Basics-Keyboarding
| Description: | This 200-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District introduces participants to administrative office procedures. Office Basics-Keyboarding also prepares participants for other computer-related programs and can increase students’ job skills. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, 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 |
Pathway to Freedom (PTF)
| Description: | PTF is a non-profit, faith-based, holistic service program. The 18-month program provides participants with educational, values-based reintegration services. Participants are taught skills that can enhance their relationships, moral and spiritual development, and employment opportunities. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Program counselor | Behavioral Science degree with two years of experience working with at-risk individuals or six years of experience working with at-risk individuals |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations; within 18 months of release; minimum or medium security classification; no history of escape |
| Facility: | Wrightsville-Hawkins |
Pathway to Freedom Satellite Virtual Program (PTFS) – EARU
| Description: | This is a 100-day, Christ-centered education and service program offered by PTF that is delivered through a secure online platform. The program aims to help incarcerated individuals gain insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to promote responsibility, emotional regulation, and long-term change. |
| Delivery Method: | Digital, instructor-led learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Program counselor | Behavioral Science degree with two years of experience working with at-risk individuals or six years of experience working with at-risk individuals |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations; within four months of release; minimum-, medium-, or maximum-security classification |
| Facility: | East Arkansas Regional |
Paws in Prison
| Description: | The primary purpose of this program is for participants to prepare dogs for adoption through socialization, training, and proper care. Paws in Prison trainers teach participants to train dogs, which increases their skills and abilities. |
| Delivery Method: | Practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | External dog trainers | American Kennel Club- approved evaluator |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations; a criminal history free from animal abuse |
| Facility: | Benny Magness, Larry B. Norris, Ouachita River, Randall L. Williams, Tucker |
Pet Care and Management
| Description: | This program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District prepares participants to perform a variety of duties required in the care and management of small animals. During the program, participants are taught obedience instruction by a professional dog trainer. This program can increase the participants’ job skills and understanding of obedience training. |
| Delivery Method: | Digital or workbook and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | External dog trainers | American Kennel Club- approved evaluator |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations; Paws in Prison participant |
| Facility: | Benny Magness, Larry B. Norris, Ouachita River, Randall L. Williams, Tucker |
Plumbing
| Description: | This 600-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District includes an introduction to construction skills but primarily focuses on the basics of plumbing. This course can increase student’s employability after release. |
| 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; plumbing experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | Ouachita River |
Principles Applied to Living (PAL)
| Description: | This program is a Bible-centered program that seeks to promote responsibility, integrity, and accountability in all areas of life. |
| 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, or III; class IV inmates may be considered upon request; no disciplinary violations in last 60 days |
| Facility: | Barbra Ester, Benny Magness, Cummins, Delta, East Arkansas Regional, Grimes, Larry B. Norris, McPherson, Ouachita River, Tucker, Varner |
Reduction of Sexual Victimization (RSVP)
| Description: | The focus of RSVP is to treat men who are incarcerated for a sexual offense. RSVP aims to reduce antisocial cognitions related to sexual misconduct and increase appropriate behavior. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Corrections program specialist | Bachelor of Arts or Science in a social science field or experience in corrections |
| Eligibility: | Individuals with a sex offense or history of sexual behavioral problems; approval by a psychologist and program supervisor; no disciplinary violations in last 60 days; class I, II, III, or housed in general population |
| Facility: | Ouachita River |
Residential Carpentry
| Description: | This 600-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District teaches basic construction with a focus on carpentry work. This entry-level program prepares participants to perform a variety of tasks in the residential carpentry field and increases participant’s job skills. |
| 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; carpentry experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | Varner |
Residential Electricity
| Description: | This 600-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District teaches basic construction practices and prepares participants for employment in the electrical field. This program increases participant’s employability upon release. |
| 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; residential electrical experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | Varner |
Seeking Safety
| Description: | This 14-to-19-week trauma-informed intervention offered by Wellpath addresses co-occurring post-traumatic stress and substance misuse. Groups meet twice a week and primarily focus on barriers to stability, healthy relationships, and relapse risks. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led |
| 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 |
Sex Offender Female Treatment (SOFT)
| Description: | SOFT is a treatment program offered by Wellpath who have committed a sexual offense. The six-month program aims to reduce antisocial cognitions and increase appropriate behavior. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Mental health technician | Bachelor of Arts or Science in a social science field or experience in corrections |
| Eligibility: | Individuals with a sex offense or history of sexual behavioral problems; approval by a psychologist and program supervisor; no disciplinary violations in the last 60 days; class I, II, or III; housed in general population |
| Facility: | McPherson |
Sheet Metal Fabrication
| Description: | This 200-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District teaches participants about bending and cutting metal and installing ductwork. This course can be taken as an extension of the HVAC-R program. This course expands the participants’ knowledge of sheet metal fabrication and their employment opportunities after release. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led, and practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Career technical faculty | National Center for Construction Education and Research – approved; ductwork, sheet metal, and HVAC-R experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | East Arkansas Regional, Varner |
Substance Use Rehabilitation Service (SURS)
| Description: | This six-month treatment program employs cognitive behavioral strategies to address drug and alcohol dependency. SURS program is designed to help inmates overcome addiction to drugs or alcohol. Drug and alcohol treatment enhances well-being and decreases the likelihood of future criminality. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Corrections program specialist | Bachelor of Arts or Science in a social science field or experience in corrections |
| Eligibility: | ORAS or staff referred; class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | Benton Work Release, Cummins, East Arkansas Regional, Grimes, Larry B. Norris, McPherson, Randall L. Williams, Tucker, Varner, Wrightsville |
Think Legacy
| Description: | The program employs the evidence-based Thinking for a Change curriculum. Think Legacy employs cognitive behavioral strategies to better address antisocial cognitions. The goal of the program is to help participants develop strategies to improve their thinking patterns and problem-solving abilities. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Corrections program specialist | Bachelor of Arts or Science in a social science field or experience in corrections |
| Eligibility: | ORAS or staff referred; class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | Benny Magness, Cummins, Delta, East Arkansas Regional, McPherson, Ouachita River, Tucker |
Veteran’s Program
| Description: | This 16-week intervention teaches social skills. The program is also designed to help participants obtain veteran services. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person, instructor-led |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Corrections program specialist | Bachelor of Arts or Science in a social science field or experience in corrections |
| Eligibility: | Veteran within 60 months of their transfer or release eligibility dates; class I, II, or III |
| Facility: | Barbara Ester |
WAGE
| Description: | The WAGE Program (Arkansas Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy) provides participants with opportunities to improve their basic academic skills and participate in workforce training. This program can improve participants’ employment opportunities once released. |
| Delivery Method: | Digital learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Workforce Services |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II, within 5 years of their release eligibility date; no disciplinary violations pending |
| Facility: | Barbra Ester, Delta, Ouachita River, Tucker, Wrightsville |
Welding
| Description: | This 600-hour program offered by the Arkansas Correctional School District teaches students about the basics of welding and fabrication. This CTE program can improve employment opportunities upon release. |
| Delivery Method: | In-person and instructor-led learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Career and technical faculty | National Center for Construction Education and Research – approved; welding experience |
| Eligibility: | Class I or II; no pending disciplinary violations |
| Facility: | East Arkansas Regional, Ouachita River, Varner |
Work Release
| Description: | The Work Release program allows participants to earn money while incarcerated by working in local businesses. This program allows incarcerated individuals to financially support their family, save money, and can secure employment once released. |
| Delivery Method: | Practical learning |
| Instructor Title | Minimum Qualifications | Not applicable |
| Eligibility: | Minimum security; no major disciplinary violations for 90 days |
| Facility: | Benton Work Release, Mississippi County Work Release, Northwest Arkansas Work Release, Pine Bluff Work Release, Texarkana Work Release, Tucker Work Release |