New Learning Center Launched At County Correctional Facility

RIVERHEAD, NY — A new program has launched aimed at giving inmates the tools they need to begin new lives.

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office announced a new inmate learning center at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead, which opened on Nov. 4.

Inmates at the center are able to prepare for the Test Assessing Secondary Completion, or TASC, which was chosen by New York in 2014 to replace the General Educational Development, or GED, as the state's high school equivalency diploma.

In addition, the learning center also offers inmates a place to take part in educational activities that will make them more employable and enrich their lives, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon said.

Inmate rehabilitation has been a focus of his administration, Toulon said. Some Suffolk County correction officers hold teaching degrees and New York State teacher certifications, he said. And, due to bail reform legislation, there are fewer inmates in the county's correctional facilities, freeing up some staff to perform different duties, Toulon said.

"Opening a Learning Center operating in addition to our formal TASC program benefits all involved," he said.

Currently, inmates between the ages of 18 and 21 are eligible for TASC instruction provided by Eastern Suffolk BOCES in the correctional facilities.

Correction Officer Christian Campfield, one of the teachers assigned to the learning center, spoke about the program.

“Corrections is my second career after teaching. I am happy to be able to utilize my education and background to make a positive impact on the inmates," he said. "This also allows me to serve a more positive role in the facility, rather than just that of a correction officer. I hope this learning center helps the inmates better themselves so they don’t come back to jail.”

So far, the learning center has more than 167 inmates enrolled in online continuing education courses in conjunction with Riverhead Library. The inmates have access to over 500 educational courses, including accounting, anger management, psychology, elder care, finances, typing, and more. Since opening the learning center, 25 inmates have already completed courses in various subject areas and three inmates have earned their high school equivalency diplomas, Toulon said.

There are currently three correction officer teachers assigned to the Riverhead Correctional Facility Learning Center; on Feb. 1, a second learning center is slated to open at the Yaphank Correctional Facility.