PINEVILLE — Four men received their G.E.D. Certificates this month, after studying for the test while incarcerated at the Bell County Detention Center.

“This program has really taken off in the last few months,” Middlesboro Police Officer and G.E.D. Tutor Barry Cowan said.

Cowan teaches at the jail through the Bell County Adult Education program at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. He feels as if the inmates can relate to him and his style of teaching- and judging by the number of those receiving certificates- he is correct.

Cowan said that two inmates who studied for their G.E.D. tests sought him out after they were released from jail and he tutored them in their homes. Both men passed the exam.

One inmate, Michael Bachelder, recently received his G.E.D. Certificate and spoke with Cowan about the possibility of entering college classes in the future.

“The opportunity has always been there, but these men are taking advantage of their time in jail. It’s paid for, it’s free for them,” Cowan said.

The inmates in Cowan’s G.E.D. class are detained for various reasons. The service is available to every inmate. Around 30 inmates are studying to take their tests at this time, Cowan said.

The G.E.D. program is open and free to the public. There are two sites for the Adult Education program in Middlesboro and one in Pineville. For more information, call (606)248-3175.

“A lot of them are grateful,” Cowan said of the inmates who have already received their G.E.D. Certificates. “They think it’s a really good thing.”

Brandy Calvert is the Senior Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. Contact her via e-mail at bmurray@middlesborodailynews.com.

Photo: Tutor Barry Cowan joined Bell County Detention Center inmates recently to prepare them for their upcoming G.E.D. examinations. Pictured, from left, are inmates Mike Mills, Charles Burton, Thomas Kirby, Michael Bachelder and Cowan. (BRANDY CALVERT/ Daily News)