Jails fail on HS classes — Stringer

THE CITY has failed to sign up young inmates for high school classes, and in many cases neglected to develop special-education plans, an audit showed Tuesday.

For 68% of 92 sampled inmates ages 18 to 21, the city Correction Department couldn’t offer proof the prisoners got the chance to enroll in classes in fiscal year 2015, according to city Controller Scott Stringer.

“Offering young inmates the chance to attend high school is not only smart policy, it’s required by law,” Stringer said. “But the (Correction Department) doesn’t adhere to its own rules to make sure that the law is followed. That’s wrong, because if we’re going to reverse decades of backward criminal justice policies, it’s going to be with bigger and better schools — not bigger and tougher prisons.”

High school is required for inmates ages 16 and 17, but it’s voluntary for others.

Citing the audit, Stringer once again called on the de Blasio administration to devise a plan to close the 10 jails on Rikers Island.

Jail officials disputed “the overall finding that ‘DOC does not ensure that eligible inmates 18-21 years of age are advised of the opportunity to receive educational services.’ ” Eligible inmates are told about the classes during orientation, jail brass said, and contacted by education officials afterward.