Literacy Awareness Month

The Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit celebrates Literacy Awareness Month.

Why would a prosecutor's office celebrate a month dedicated to literacy? In the United States, the illiteracy rate has not changed in the past 10 years. According to the US Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy, the following statistics outline the state of literacy in the United States.

1. 32 million adults cannot read in the United States - that is equal to 14% of the population. 2. 21% of US adults read below the 5th grade level. 3. 19% of high school graduates cannot read. 4. 85% of juveniles who interact with the juvenile court system are considered functionally illiterate. 5. 70% of inmates in America’s prisons cannot read above the fourth grade level.

This office is dedicated to not only the prosecution of crime but also bringing awareness to that which can reduce crime before it even occurs. Read to a child!!!