like i'm sure others here have said,as hard as it is now i'm sure better things will come.
it sounds like your job is union,as most correctional jobs seem to be so it sucks that if you showed the right person your GED success rate compared to others it wouldnt even matter.
take dans advice about that book.my old man made me read it when i was a kid but i was too young to appreciate it.i forgot it existed and am sure its around here somewhere.i'll read it again.
good luck guy.prayers sent.