Sheriff's office highlights latest GED recipient

FREMONT — The Sandusky County Sheriff's Office recently congratulated Timothy Tuttamore for completing his GED while enrolled in the agency's IGNITE program at the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office. "We're proud of you and all of your hard work," according to a sheriff's office statement. "A special thanks to the corrections officers for supporting our program and to Vanguard-Sentinel" Career and Technology Center. Bio blast IGNITE represents an acronym for individual growth naturally and intentionally through education. Back in 2023, Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton adopted this program into his local operations. In fact, Hilton represents the first sheriff in Ohio to implement this initiative, backed by the National Sheriff's Association, in a local jail facility. Hilton said there are three more jails ready to start this program. The diploma, however, represents just one facet of what's offered locally. This voluntary program for inmates offers a wide array of courses — parenting, yoga, job training and more — so they can learn about healthy habits and positive ways to cope and/or deal with life's challenges. Employees at the sheriff's office either teach these classes themselves or bring in experts. Ultimately, sheriff's office employees want inmates to re-enter society prepared with the necessary tools and valuable life skills to stay on the right track. Several inmates have graduated from the program with hundreds participating in classes. "It's had a profoundly positive impact on the inmates, the staff and the jail as a whole," Hilton said.