Commissioner: Homer Bryson

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

G.O.A.L. Devices Increase Offender Education with new content from Goodwill Community Foundation LearnFree Program

FORSYTH, Ga. – Expanding the partnership between the Goodwill Community Foundation (GCF) and Georgia Department of Corrections, offenders will have even more access to educational materials via Georgia Offender Alternative Learning (G.O.A.L) devices, through GCFLearnFree.org online tutorials.

GCFLearnFree is a program of the Goodwill Community Foundation® and Goodwill Industries of Eastern NC, Inc.®, and provides learning opportunities via online tutorials. The courses cover a variety of subjects, from technology skills to math and reading, and are part of a database that includes more than 1,100 self-paced tutorials provided free to the general public.  Providing access to those tutorials through the G.O.A.L. devices will give offenders added opportunities to learn skills vital to finding meaningful employment upon their release from prison.

“With the addition of access to this educational content, the G.O.A.L. devices continue to improve the prospects for offenders to successfully reenter society,” said Dr. Buster Evans, Assistant Commissioner of Inmate Services. “We know that education is the foundation upon which these men and women can build their future, and the addition of this content can make that foundation even more solid.”

Since the rollout of G.O.A.L. devices began in 2015, more than 5,000 devices have been distributed to offenders at facilities throughout Georgia. The ruggedized tablets allow offenders to have 24-hour access educational materials, and come pre-loaded with inmate handbooks and a motivational book.

The tablets are not connected to the Internet; however, offenders can access the GCF Learn Free educational content by loading materials through a secure kiosk that can then be watched at any time. The content is provided at no cost to the offenders or GDC.

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees.

For more information on the GDC call 478-992-5219 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.