Detention Center Program Helps Inmate Castro-Reyes Earn GED Certificate

Walter Castro-Reyes donned a cap and gown last Thursday to receive his General Educational Development, or GED certificate, at the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center in Alexandria.

Alexandria Sheriff’s Office staff and fellow inmates applauded Castro-Reyes, 20, who accepted his certificate from Krista Sofonia, Adult Education coordinator. Sheriff Dana Lawhorne gave brief remarks and congratulated Castro-Reyes on his accomplishment.

Sofonia also recognized volunteers with the Adult Education program, including Morgan Gerhart, a graduate student at Marymount University who interned at the Sheriff’s Office this semester and will earn a Master of Arts degree in forensic psychology this month.

Three other inmates passed their GED exams this spring, including two who were released prior to last week’s ceremony. Since 2005, 82 inmates at the Alexandria detention center have successfully completed their GEDs.