JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first National Testing Center for military prisoners aboard Naval Weapons Station Charleston, July 14.

The new and improved testing facility will allow military prisoners to complete accredited computer-based college level courses vice the normal paper based testing, offering 33 different testing areas versus the previous limit of 17.

Established under the sponsorship of Thomas Edison State College and NWS Charleston, this NTC designation enables a vast improvement in testing capability for prisoners and staff in College Level Examination Program, Computer-Based DANTES Subject Standardized Test Internet Based-Test, Excelsior College Examination, and Pearson Vue Testing Services.
NAVCONBRIG Charleston test control officer, Sylvia Gilliard, the driving force who first proposed the idea, spent more than two years coordinating the many administrative requirements and approvals required for the NTC. As a direct result, staff personnel and prisoners will be able to take more tests more quickly with faster feedback, enhancing their educational opportunities.

According to Mrs. Gilliard, this is the first NTC nationwide that is located within the confines of a correctional facility - military or civilian.

"This is a great achievement by Mrs. Gilliard and others who provide improved opportunities for our staff and prisoners to enhance their educational opportunities," said NAVCONBRIG Charleston commanding officer Cmdr. Ray Drake. "Testing capacity is increased, results are immediate, and at no cost - great for our Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers and Marines."

"Our job is to prepare them for civilian life. We teach them life skills, employment skills and then when they depart our facility we try to help them find a job. Having a degree can help them," said Mrs. Gilliard.

Within the last 18-months, the NAVCONBRIG Charleston has had four personnel leave the correctional facility with a bachelor's degree, one of whom received a scholarship to continue his education toward his master's degree.

Before the NTC, it could take an average of four to six weeks for a test to be mailed off and graded, making a student wait for their results. But now, scores can be received instantly - within minutes of submitting their exam.

"The National Testing Center is important for the prisoners to have so that they may earn more college credits," Mrs. Gilliard continued. "I was elated when the program finally came because the more that we can do for a prisoner, such as helping them with employment or education, the better citizen they will become when they leave and they will have a lot more to offer the community. We do not want a prisoner to reoffend and have to come back, so our goal is to help them so that they see the different options that are available to them."