Education Challenge Continues to be an Overwhelming Success
For the third year, the NCDAC Education Services section led our prison facilities in friendly competition through the Education Challenge, an initiative to increase the number of educational completions earned by our justice involved individuals. Completions include high school equivalency diploma, human resource development, post-secondary technical, post-secondary degree courses and programs through our college partners.
And, for the third straight year the challenge was an overwhelming success. Our institutions’ leadership, staff commitment, and focused efforts continue to transform educational outcomes for the individuals we serve. This year’s challenge produced remarkable gains across the state.
During the past fiscal year, each institution was challenged to exceed a goal set higher than the previous year's completions. Winners are based on percentage of their goal completed. Thanks to the dedication and creative programming of our staff, we not only met that challenge but surpassed it.
Western Correctional Center for Women in Black Mountain exceeded its goal by an incredible 579%. Southern Correctional Institution exceeded its goal by 415%, while Harnett Correctional Institution finished third by exceeding its goal by 399%. These facilities and the top three facilities in each region will be recognized at the department’s upcoming Education Symposiums.
Based on actual number of completions, Albemarle Correctional Institution led the way with 1,431 educational completions with its partnership with Stanly Community College.
Credentials were earned between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The exam is made up of five sections: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Students must pass all five tests to complete and earn their HiSET diplomas, which is equivalent to a high school diploma.
These accomplishments represent far more than numbers — they reflect dedication and a deep commitment to expanding educational opportunities inside our facilities. Every facility that participated contributed to the statewide momentum that continues to move us forward. Wardens and their staff members were creative with scheduling and made education a priority in their facilities. We appreciate them and their hard work.
I want to congratulate my outstanding educational staff, along with the programs and custody staff that supported this effort throughout our system. The work our staff do every day to educate justice involved individuals and prepare them for life outside of our prisons is life changing.
I also want to thank our state’s community college system for the wonderful partnership in providing vocational and educational opportunities as we all work to change the lives of our justice involved individuals.
Below is the list of the top three regional finishers and the community colleges they are associated with.
Central Region
1. Western Correctional Center for Women with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College – 579%.
2. Warren Correctional Institution with Vance-Granville Community College – 214%.
3. Randolph Correctional Center with Randolph Community College – 165%.
Eastern Region
1. Hyde Correctional Institution with Beaufort County Community College – 283%.
2. Pamlico Correctional Institution with Pamlico Community College – 206%.
3. Roanoke River Correctional Institution with Halifax Community College – 141%.
South Central Region
1. Southern Correctional Institution with Montgomery Community College – 415%.
2. Harnett Correctional Institution with Central Carolina Community College – 399%.
3. Brown Creek Correctional Institution with South Piedmont Community College – 372%.
Western Region
1. Craggy Correctional Center with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College – 272%.
2. Mountain View Correctional Institution with Mayland Community College – 263%.
3. Alexander Correctional Institution with Catawba Valley Community College – 184%.
To view the Education Challenge Dashboard, click here.
Dr. Brooke Wheeler
NCDAC Senior Director of Education and Programs
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