Pennington County Sheriff’s Office wants to reverse generational incarceration cycle [Video]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Do people deserve second chances?

The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office has been running their IGNITE program for the last few years, helping inmates with personal growth and a future after incarceration through education, substance use services and financial awareness.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the Pennington County Jail is the only jail in South Dakota that runs the Individual Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education program or IGNITE.

A teacher for the jail says they teach various courses to inmates including math and just launched creative writing, literacy and life skills.

Through the life skills course, students learn budgeting, resume building, taxes and interviewing.

Through IGNITE, inmates are able to get their GED and receive job training skills while serving their time.

The teacher added, it’s rewarding being a part of the transformation of her students.

“It’s monumental to see the person that started that …