Charter schools help inmates graduate

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico has one of only a handful of charter schools in the nation that serve current and former jail inmates schools didn't reach.

The Gordon Bernell Charter School at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque has turned state law on charter schools into an opportunity to grant high school diplomas - rather than GEDs - to inmates.

Wearing orange jumpsuits, the Albuquerque jail students attend typical high school math and language classes and science labs in secure rooms is segregated from the rest of the jail.

They get homework to complete in their cells at night.

Charter high schools typically serve students until age 18 or 19.

But Gordon Bernell's director, Greta Roskom, says New Mexico law has no age limit for students.