The Joint Legislative PEER Committee identified administrative and programmatic weaknesses with regard to the Department of Corrections’ associate degree and adult basic education programs for inmates administered by Coahoma Junior College. Relative to the associate degree program, Coahoma has not charged fees to inmates accurately, has failed to provide textbooks to all students consistently and on a timely basis, and has failed to ensure that classes meet state student-teacher contact time requirements.
Coahoma’s evening adult basic education program at Parchman lacks key administrative controls such as adequate supervision of teachers, instructional quality control, monitoring the sufficiency of educational supplies, and providing managerial guidance. PEER determined that Department of Corrections employees who accepted positions as part of the Coahoma Junior College adult basic education evening program have violated state conflict of interest laws.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.