Dougherty Jail graduates first class of female GED recipients

ALBANY – Three jail inmates are getting a second chance through the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Jail to Jobs program, with some also receiving certificates in forklift driving.

Those accomplishments have inspired them trio to think about life after incarceration and improved their chances for jobs and further education.

“When I got arrested 18 months ago I never expected anything good to come out of it,” Michelle Sowell told an audience that included relatives, Dougherty County Sheriff Terron Hayes, jail employees and Albany Technical College representatives for the Wednesday graduation ceremony. “I was wrong. For the first time in a long time, I’m excited about my future.”

Before handing the certificate to Sowell, instructor Benjamin Johnson draped a yellow cord around Sowell’s neck indicating her status as an honors student.

In about a year, Johnson has helped 15 students across the finish line, but Wednesday’s class represents the first women inmates to pass the four sections of the general education development (GED) assessment: social studies, science, reading and math. Jail rules prohibit teaching coed classes.

A score of 145 or better is required to pass each section, and Sowell scored 155 in social studies, 154 in science, 166 in reading and 167 in math.

“Those are the highest scores I’ve ever received (for a student) in a GED,” Johnson said.

In addition to improving her future prospects, graduate Lindsay Roach said the experience broke up the monotony of being behind bars.

“It was an escape,” she said. “I can say this has been challenging. I want to express my gratitude for being able to attend this program. Thank you to Sheriff Hayes for believing in second chances.”

Sowell agreed that the instructional sessions were a chance to have a breath of freedom. Students are not able to use computers like Albany Tech students can. Pencil and paper and a whiteboard were the inmates’ only instructional aids. Still, Sowell said that the atmosphere made her forget her environment during the classes.

“It didn’t feel like we were in jail,” she said.

Being in jail, Henderson said, it was easier to focus on studying. 

“When I was in school, I was a terrible student,” she said. “I’m not going to lie.”

All three graduates said they want to attend Albany Tech after they leave the jail facility.

Hayes initiated the Jail to Jobs program after he took office in 2025. The program’s goals are to give inmates a chance to have better futures and reduce recidivism.

Male inmates attend classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings, while the women are in class on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for three-hour sessions. The students are escorted from their cells to a classroom in a separate part of the facility from the living areas.

An officer sits in the classes, and so far there have been “zero problems” in the jail classroom, Johnson said.

“These wonderful students brought a smile and wonderful personality to class every day and made it easier to teach them,” he said. “They maintained a positive attitude despite being incarcerated.”