Department of Correction holds first youth academy

The Delaware Department of Correction has announced that 15 young men and women graduated from its inaugural youth academy. For teens with the desire to learn about the criminal justice system, the three-day program provides an opportunity to interact and speak with various correctional employees. Several of these teens are considering becoming police officers, agents, judges and attorneys, as well as enlisting in the military to serve this country.

Throughout the course, the cadets took part in a condensed version of the DOC correctional academy training. They engaged in physical training and defensive tactics, attended lectures, completed the obstacle course, learned military drill-style marching and standing at attention, took part in team-building activities and became CPR-certified. At the completion of the program, families and friends gathered for a graduation ceremony when all cadets received certificates for their participation.

The instructional team consisted of Sgt. Jamie Courtney and drill instructors Andrew Krzanowski, Vincent Lewis and Latanya Smith.