Length of Time in Law Enforcement and Corrections: 35+ years

Location: Hancock County Jail, Greenfield, Indiana

Hancock County Impact: $4.4M in Savings and Second Chances 

Hancock County Jail in Greenfield, Indiana, is proving that education and rehabilitation not only transform lives but also save taxpayer dollars. Under Sheriff Brad Burkhart’s leadership, the county has saved over $4.4 million thanks to its partnership with Orijin’s cloud-based learning platform.

According to jail administrators, 150 incarcerated learners have collectively accumulated 56,101 days out of jail since their release. With an incarceration cost of $79.02 per day, that translates to millions in savings for the county—along with safer communities and brighter futures for residents. Sheriff Burkhart puts it plainly: “It’s cost-effective. If we were to provide all this programming in person, we’d have to hire additional staff, which isn’t feasible with staffing shortages.”

“It’s cost‑effective. If we were to provide all this programming in person, we’d have to hire additional staff, which isn’t feasible with staffing shortages.”

— Sheriff Brad Burkhart

Planting Seeds of Opportunity

For Burkhart, these outcomes are rooted in a personal philosophy shaped by his upbringing on a farm. “Growing up, my job was to prepare the soil so my dad could plant the seeds. When I became sheriff, I realized that corrections could work the same way—we have to prepare the ground for individuals to grow and thrive.”

That belief has guided the integration of Orijin’s tablet‑based platform, which provides access to GED preparation, vocational training, and rehabilitation tools. With 285 tablets in use, Orijin supplements in‑person learning and has become a cornerstone of Hancock County’s rehabilitative efforts.

Job‑Ready Skills to Reduce Recidivism

Learners are completing certifications in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work, gaining the skills they need to succeed after release. One learner put it simply: “I’ve never completed anything in my life, but now I have certificates and skills I can use when I get out.”

For Sheriff Burkhart, the ROI is both financial and personal: “If we don’t provide them with the tools and opportunities to change, how can we expect them to do better when they leave here?”

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