During the past 20 years, Rio Salado College has enrolled incarcerated students in distance learning classes that have been funded through student generated resources. In recent years, student interest and enrollment have increased from local facilities to penal institutions throughout Arizona and in other states. Because of the special conditions inherent in serving students housed in security settings, we have developed a process at Rio Salado designed to provide customer service standards that are efficient and timely.

While many incarcerated men and women do not have the resources to pursue a degree, some do have monetary support from families or sponsors, as well as scholarship opportunities that cover tuition costs, and in some cases, cost of books and materials. These inmates participate in continuing education opportunities to attain higher degrees without financial assistance from ADC.

Providing educational opportunities to incarcerated students supports the College’s mission to serve unserved and underserved student populations. The greatest provision however may be to the communities who will eventually be impacted by the return of these individuals as tax-paying citizens. Current research supports the hypothesis that education for the incarcerated reduces recidivism. Rio Salado College is responding to an ongoing community need in its effort to make educational opportunity available to this population.

Getting Started with your distance courses.