Correctional system citizens academy sessions start Sept. 24
The Delaware Department of Correction announced its Fall 2024 Citizens Academy will begin Tuesday, Sept. 24, with sessions held from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesdays, for six weeks, ending Oct. 29. Sessions and tours will take place at the Sussex Community Corrections Center, Sussex Correctional Institution, and the Regional Probation and Parole office in Georgetown.
This free program gives community members a look inside the operations and programs of Delaware’s largest law enforcement agency and provides firsthand insight into how the DOC achieves its dual mission of public safety and offender rehabilitation.
Participants will meet with DOC leadership, uniformed officers, and treatment and program providers, and have opportunities to engage with individuals currently under DOC supervision.
“The DOC Citizens Academy gives local residents the opportunity to see for themselves how a prison operates, learn how officers supervise individuals on probation, and better understand how the Department of Correction impacts rehabilitation and public safety throughout our state,” said Terra Taylor, commissioner. “I encourage you to apply today and join us for the Fall 2024 Citizens Academy.”
The DOC is seeking a diverse group of community member participants; attendees do not need to have any corrections or law enforcement experience. Class size is limited, and interested participants must complete a short application and pass a simple background check online at doc.delaware.gov/assets/documents/DOC_Citizens_Academy_application.pdf. Completed applications should be returned to Jason.Miller@Delaware.gov by Thursday, Sept. 12. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the Citizens Academy class is filled.
The DOC Citizens Academy goal is to strengthen public engagement with the DOC through access, information sharing and dialogue, and to build strong partnerships with local residents. Sessions will focus on a variety of topics including officer and staff training, prison operations, probation supervision methods, medical and behavioral health treatment, vocational training and education as well as the DOC’s role in coordinating Delaware’s statewide reentry initiative.
Participants will gain an understanding of how DOC assesses offender needs and risks while individuals are under DOC supervision in order to support their reentry success and reduce Delaware’s recidivism rate.
Statewide, more than 4,000 individuals are currently incarcerated in Department of Correction facilities, and approximately 10,000 individuals are currently being supervised by the DOC on probation or court-ordered pretrial supervision.
