Inmates at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre can continue to access education through Lethbridge Polytechnic's Lakeshore Campus. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Funding secured to continue Lethbridge Polytechnic’s programs at correctional centre

Oct 3, 2024 | 10:47 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge Polytechnic will continue to offer courses to inmates at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre (LCC).

The Government of Alberta has announced $2.1 million over the next three years for the school’s Lakeshore Campus, which is not only offered at the LCC, but also at the Medicine Hat Remand Centre through correspondence.

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis says, “It’s essential that we support opportunities that can help put incarcerated individuals on the path to a brighter future. Through Lakeshore’s valuable in-facility programming, inmates can access educational resources and instruction that will set them up for success after release.”

The goal of the Lakeshore Campus is to provide reasonable opportunities for inmates to complete courses that would help them to successfully reintegrate into society.

There are three streams students can enrol in:

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• Academic Upgrading
  • Basic adult education courses such as math, language arts, social studies and science, to strengthen literacy and numeracy skills. Courses are the same as those offered on Lethbridge Polytechnic’s main campus with students receiving credits that can be used for entrance into post-secondary programs.
• Personal Development
  • Skills development courses for life and employment such as addictions awareness, anger management, family violence prevention and release planning.
• Job Employment Skills Training
  • Exposure to specific job skills providing inmates with experience related to various vocations such as carpentry, small engine repair and construction safety.

Dean of Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences Dr. Kevin Smith says it is a crucial program for those who are looking for another chance at living a good life.

“Lakeshore campus is a very important and successful contributor to the range of programming offered by Lethbridge Polytechnic,” says Smith. “It’s admired throughout the province as illustrated by the program’s expansion to the Medicine Hat Remand Centre.”

More details on the Lakeshore Campus can be found on the Lethbridge Polytechnic website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge Polytechnic to offer new and changed programs

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