Options for someone who's going to be on a ship for 9 months!

[dfrecore]

I think its rather messed up if you ask me.

You know, in this instance, I'm ok with it. This is the kind of thing I want my tax dollars used for. The fact that a prisoner is trying to educate themselves, when there is really no incentive other than to better themselves... And if they want to be productive members of society when they get out (and most do), then a better educated person is much more likely to not live off of the government than one who isn't.

[sanantone]

You know, in this instance, I'm ok with it. This is the kind of thing I want my tax dollars used for. The fact that a prisoner is trying to educate themselves, when there is really no incentive other than to better themselves... And if they want to be productive members of society when they get out (and most do), then a better educated person is much more likely to not live off of the government than one who isn't.

As someone who was a counselor in a prison and taught penology, I can speak to this. It's cheaper to provide inmates with skills that will keep them out of prison. It also benefits the public by reducing the number of people who will be victimized. Most of my clients relapsed (started drinking or using drugs again) and/or went back to selling drugs because they couldn't find a job after getting out of prison.

[Collegelady2]

As someone who was a counselor in a prison and taught penology, I can speak to this. It's cheaper to provide inmates with skills that will keep them out of prison. It also benefits the public by reducing the number of people who will be victimized. Most of my clients relapsed (started drinking or using drugs again) and/or went back to selling drugs because they couldn't find a job after getting out of prison.

Is that criminal any more likely to be able to pass a background check to get that job whether educated or uneducated

[sanantone]

Is that criminal any more likely to be able to pass a background check to get that job whether educated or uneducated

There are a lot of employers who give second chances and many occupations aren't barred from hiring felons. The problem is that many of these jobs require training if you don't already have work experience. Some of the jobs require licenses or certifications. Barbering, welding, and truck driving were some of the more popular occupations some of the inmates wanted to pursue, but most inmates in Texas don't get the chance to take college courses or receive vocational training while incarcerated. However, most of them will qualify for grants upon release, so we're paying anyway.

[EI2HCB]

Seems we went way off shore on this post! The sailor has a lot of reading options but very little testing options unless his vessel has a testing officer on board. Some people here test by learning the bare minimum to pass and move on to the next thing others spend a lot of time learning so they can apply their knowledge in the future. If someone is going to be on a ship for six months or more, the person should set their goals as to what degree they want and focus on. Then determine what General Education credits they'll need if they apply to a college not part of the big three and begin while they are on board to focus on a topic and work towards those goals. 4 REA books on board wouldn't take up much room and if focused on for a few hours each week the information would be in long term memory by the end of the tour and a series of tests could be taken with little review needed a laptop or cellphone with Itunes U and a series of lectures and a set of headphones could supplement anything an REA book didn't. A few weeks on shore and they'd have 12 credits on their transcript and the GI bill would be still available to them once they got out.
As for prisoner education, prison is boring and anyone with any initiative to do something for themselves needs to be encouraged to make a go of it. It is hard to be a productive member of society once you have a record because a lot of people don't want to take risks with people with a past so the cycle is hard to break free from. A lot of convicted criminals are intelligent people who with a better hope might be contributing to society instead of contributing to its demise.

[SolarKat]

A few weeks on shore and they'd have 12 credits on their transcript and the GI bill would be still available to them once they got out.

I can't emphasize this enough - GET THE EDUCATION WHILE YOU'RE AD. Use the TA for your degree (you can still combine that with the fast/cheap credits via CLEP, DSST, Study.com, whatever), but GET THE DEGREE. You might use it for advancement, or you might just hang onto it for when you get out. Then when you get out, instead of wasting those GI Bill dollars on undergrad scutwork, you can use it for a great masters, or a second degree, etc...but you have a lot more options post-service if you come out with a degree in hand. Don't wait. Max out your TA. It's worth it!!

[dfrecore]

You know, in this instance, I'm ok with it. This is the kind of thing I want my tax dollars used for. The fact that a prisoner is trying to educate themselves, when there is really no incentive other than to better themselves... And if they want to be productive members of society when they get out (and most do), then a better educated person is much more likely to not live off of the government than one who isn't.

I should have been more clear on this - I said (and most do), I meant (and most do get out) rather than (and most do want to better themselves) - because that part I don't know about.

[dfrecore]

Is that criminal any more likely to be able to pass a background check to get that job whether educated or uneducated

I've worked at plenty of jobs where I didn't need a background check. And I've worked in accounting, finance, compensation, etc.

I'm pretty sure my auto mechanic is a former felon, and I really don't care, as long as he does a good job on my car, and gives me a fair price.

Also, plenty of former felons can open their own businesses, where they won't need a background check at all.

[Collegelady2]

I've worked at plenty of jobs where I didn't need a background check. And I've worked in accounting, finance, compensation, etc.

I'm pretty sure my auto mechanic is a former felon, and I really don't care, as long as he does a good job on my car, and gives me a fair price.

Also, plenty of former felons can open their own businesses, where they won't need a background check at all.

Wow thats pretty amazing I don't remember the last time I did a job that didn't require a background check.

[Charles Fout]

I wonder what he does on a ship to have a lot of down time. Internet access is very limited (assuming he's in the military). I believe there are courses afloat but i think those are traditional courses. I suggest, bring a lot of study materials for CLEP/DSST. When he's back in port, schedule those tests. I've seen a thread here before about this person who lives overseas, and no access to a test center. He studied for 6 months and when he was ready to test, he only have a week to test multiple subjects. I think it was a total of 60 credits. Maybe he can do that .

If the Sailor is in the Navy he or she already has plenty to accomplish. The ship has a mission. This Sailor will have a role in accomplishing the mission. The role in mission accomplishment must take precedence. Regardless of status, the individual will be constantly working toward and or maintaining various qualifications. It's best that this person consult with their chain of command before taking on additional goals. 

Free wisdom for your friend, should he or she be preparing for a long shipboard deployment:  Those Sailor bars are all the same no matter where you are! Go on the tours. Make an effort to take in some of the culture when you arrive at a liberty port.