Department of Correction graduates new class of correctional officers

During a Dec. 12 ceremony attended by more than 200 family, friends, and state officials, the Delaware Department of Correction marked the graduation of 30 employees who have completed the Department’s Correctional Employee Initial Training program.

The graduating class was comprised of 26 correctional officers, one correctional officer maintenance trades mechanic, two correctional counselors, and one education administrator who will take up assignments in prison facilities that together house nearly 6,000 offenders across the state.

The ceremony featured remarks from Delaware First Lady Carla Markell who provided the keynote address, Department of Correction Commissioner Robert Coupe, training staff, as well as correctional officer candidate John Faulkner Jr. of Newark, who was selected by his peers to be the class speaker.

Markell spoke about the meaningful opportunities that exist to change lives for the better within Delaware’s correctional system. “A lot of the inmates in the system are at a crisis point in their lives, and we’re working very hard to strengthen our focus on rehabilitation by providing expanded addiction and mental health treatment, along with teaching skills that give offenders strength and independence so that they are better prepared to stand on their own feet when they return to the community,” Markell said.  “You are in the unique position to really see these people at their most vulnerable moments, when they’re at a point of critical decision-making.  I hope you’ll always have a place in your heart for offenders who are trying to improve and I encourage you to support them as they transform their lives for the better while they are in our prison facilities.”

Coupe recognized the graduating class for its willingness to put themvelves in a challenging and demanding job to protect public safety, and he acknowledged the sacrifices made by each graduate’s family to support their loved one’s career path.  He emphasized the dual responsibilities of correctional officers and staff - to not only to maintain public safety and physical security, but also to support the rehabilitative efforts of Delaware offenders, most of whom will complete their term of incarceration and reenter the community.

“By choosing a career of public service you have dedicated yourself to making an impact on the lives of others and we are grateful that you have selected the DOC to fulfill your life of service,” Coupe said.  “In your roles as correctional officers, counselors and teacher you will have the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life, and if you are successful you can change the world, one life at a time.”

During the ceremony, candidates took the oath of office and received their facility assignments and Frank Kulhanek was named outstanding cadet by Department of Correction training staff.  The graduates completed nine weeks of training, including hands-on and classroom sessions in a multitude of areas, including inmate supervision, weapons familiarization, defensive tactics, emergency preparedness, report writing, substance abuse training, CPR/Basic First Aid and inter-personal communication.

Department of Correction CEIT Class: Adekunle Adeniyi of Smyrna, assigned to JTVCC as a correctional officer; Steven Duncan of Chesapeake City, Md, assigned to JTVCC as a correctional officer; John Faulkner Jr. of Newark, assigned to NCCC as a correctional officer; Mason Frazier of Newark, assigned to NCCC as a correctional officer; Donald Hayman of Camden-Wyoming, assigned to JTVCC as a correctional officer; Kyaire Hutchins of Dover, assigned to JTVCC as a correctional officer; Marcus Hutton of Burlington, N.J., assigned to HRYCI as a correctional officer; Jeffrey Jones of Philadelphia, Pa., assigned to HRYCI as a correctional officer; Frank Kulhanek of Camden, assigned to BWCI as a correctional officer trades mechanic; Dakota LaFon of Clayton, assigned to JTVCC as a correctional officer; Mathew Lemite of Bear, assigned to HRYCI as a correctional officer; Kenya Lee-Armstrong of Paoli, Pa., assigned to JTVCC as a correctional officer; Williams Lynch III of Middletown, assigned to HRYCI as a correctional officer; Garrett McCoy of Felton, assigned to JTVCC as a correctional officer; Joseph Palm of Smyrna, assigned to HRYCI as a correctional officer; Anita Pinckney of Newark, assigned to BWCI as a correctional officer; Natalie Puzzo of Frederica, assigned to JTVCC as a correctional officer; Jhemsen Rodriguez of New Castle, assigned to HRYCI as a correctional officer; Shane Sullivan of Middletown, assigned to HRYCI as a correctional officer; Anthony Valenti of Newark, assigned to HRYCI as a correctional officer; Denise Wise of Middletown, assigned to BWCI as a correctional officer; George Wright of Newark, assigned to HRYCI as a correctional officer; Kyle Young of New Castle, assigned to HRYCI as a correctional officer