Iron County Jail holds graduation ceremony for 3 inmates who earned GED diplomas

Written by Jeff Richards
May 16, 2024

CEDAR CITY — Iron County Jail hosted its first graduation ceremony on Tuesday, as three inmates received their GED diplomas.

Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter speaks during Iron County Jail’s first GED graduation ceremony, Cedar City, Utah, May 14, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

“We’re extremely proud of you today,” Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter told inmates Chavis Blackhorse, Conan “Mike” Sanchez and Felix “Ivan” Campos during a 30-minute ceremony held inside the jail. 

“This is a big accomplishment,” Carpenter said, adding, “Not only here, when you get out, then you continue in that same path and you continue to set goals for yourself and continue to achieve those goals and to reach your dreams. I know that you can do it.”

Although inmate educational programs have been conducted at Iron County Jail for many years, the facility recently implemented a new program called IGNITE, which stands for “Inmate Growth, Naturally and Intentionally through Education.”

As previously reported, Iron County Jail in January became the first correctional facility in Utah to adopt IGNITE, which was instituted in 2020 in Genesee County, Michigan, under the leadership of Sheriff Chris Swanson and is now being used in at least 11 states.

Carpenter noted that after the program was implemented in Genesee County Jail, the number of inmate assaults there dropped from 360 in one year to just seven.

Additionally, he said, it’s helped many members in that community move away from a generational incarceration mindset to one that is more appreciative of law enforcement.

Adult education instructor Le Ila Dennis presents inmate Chavis Blackhorse with his medal and cords during Iron County Jail’s first GED graduation ceremony, Cedar City, Utah, May 14, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

“Our community is changing,” Carpenter said. “It’s growing rapidly as people move in from out of state. We want to make sure that we can always have good relationships and try to do the right things for the right reasons at the right time. So this IGNITE program is important to me. I think that it is important, hopefully, to all of you because it can be life-changing and can give you opportunities to be able to change your life.”

Presenting the inmates with their diplomas was Le Ila Dennis, adult education instructor for Iron County School District.

“I love teaching school here,” Dennis said. “I love getting to know the students. I love helping them to be able to achieve their goals.”

One by one, Dennis then handed each of the inmates their ceremonial medals and cords as those in the audience, including several fellow inmates, applauded. 

Dennis noted they wouldn’t be able to take those items back to their cells with them; instead, they’ll be stored along with their personal belongings. 

Several members of Blackhorse’s family attended the ceremony in person, while relatives of the other inmates watched the proceedings via a secure videoconference link.

Dennis noted that Campos, who is from Mexico, took his GED test in Spanish.

“He plans to use that to get a better job in his country when he goes home and to be able to get a better life,” she said. “He has also learned a lot of English while he’s been here. He’s doing extremely well in that.”

Carpenter said several other inmates at the jail have already received and/or are currently working on other degrees and certifications.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons and one granddaughter. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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