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CEDAR CITY — Iron County Sheriff's Office has officially adopted a new educational initiative known as IGNITE, which is designed to help inmates acquire useful skills that will prepare them for meaningful employment after they are released from jail.
IGNITE, which stands for "Inmate Growth, Naturally and Intentionally through Education," first started in 2020 in Genesee County, Michigan, under the leadership of Sheriff Chris Swanson. It has since been adopted by correctional facilities in 11 states, with Iron County making Utah the latest state to join the ranks.
Inmates enrolled in IGNITE typically spend a couple hours a day, five days per week, in class, where they can access courses to earn credits toward a GED, receive training for a skilled trade job or take various enrichment courses in a variety of topics.
Iron County Jail has already begun rolling out the program, officials said at a news conference Thursday morning at the jail, with approximately 30 people in attendance, including Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, officials from the National Sheriff's Association and representatives from two sheriff's offices that have already adopted IGNITE.
