OCONEE, Ga-  A jail trip can shape the lives of America’s future leaders. At least that is what some local schools and sheriffs deputies say. It’s the reason that the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s school system are sending good students to jail for a day as part of the Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students, or GCAPS.

One of those students is Britt Edelen. Edelen is a senior who goes to Oconee County High School. He hopes to attend Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Edelen says he thinks GCAPS can help him reach his goal of becoming a lawyer and politician. And the trips to places such as the county jail are added bonuses.

“I will be going to the jail,” Edelen says. “I’m excited.”

Kelle Ashley is the GCAPS coordinator in Oconee County. She will take the students to the jail. She says most of the students who go on the trip soak up the experience. “This is one of the most exciting trips of the year for them,” she says. “Many students say it’s fascinating and it might be their only chance to see the walls of a jail.”

Ashley will take Edelen and the other students to the jail next Tuesday.