Six weekly evening sessions start April 15th; application deadline March 25th

Dover, DE – The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) is seeking members of the community to participate in its Spring 2024 Citizens Academy which begins April 15 in Dover.  The DOC Citizens Academy is a free program that is designed to give local residents a close-up look at the operations and programs of Delaware’s largest law enforcement agency and provide an insider’s view into how the DOC achieves its dual mission of public safety and rehabilitation.  Participants meet with Department of Correction leaders, uniformed officers, and treatment and program providers and have opportunities to engage with individuals currently under DOC supervision.  Weekly sessions feature a mix of informational presentations, demonstrations, and interactive tours of a prison, community corrections facility, and Probation and Parole office.

The Spring 2024 DOC Citizens Academy will be based in Dover with six weekly sessions on Monday evenings from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. starting April 15 and ending May 20.  Sessions and tours will take place at the DOC Administration Building in Dover, Dover Regional Probation and Parole office, James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, and Community Corrections Treatment Center.

“Are you interested in seeing for yourself how a prison operates, learning how Officers supervise individuals on Probation, and understanding the impact the Department of Correction is having on rehabilitation across our state?”  Acting Commissioner Terra Taylor said.  “If you are, I strongly encourage you to apply for our Spring 2024 Citizens Academy program.”

The DOC is seeking applications from a diverse group of community participants age 18 and over.  No corrections or law enforcement experience is necessary.  Class size is limited and interested participants must complete a short application and pass a simple background check that is attached and posted online HERE.  Completed applications should be returned to Jason.Miller@Delaware.gov by March 25, 2024.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning immediately until the Citizens Academy class is filled.

The DOC Citizens Academy seeks to strengthen public engagement with the DOC through access, information-sharing, and dialogue and to build partnerships with local residents.  Sessions focus on a wide variety of topics, including officer and staff training, prison operations, probation supervision methods, medical care, substance abuse treatment, behavioral healthcare, vocational training and education, and the DOC’s central role in Delaware’s comprehensive reentry system.  Participants gain a deeper understanding of how the DOC identifies – and addresses – needs and risks while individuals are under DOC supervision in order to support their reentry success and reduce Delaware’s recidivism rate.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend and participate in Citizens Academy sessions.

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.  Previous DOC Citizens Academy programs have taken place in New Castle County, Sussex County and Kent County.

For more information and to submit an application please contact Jason Miller, Chief of Communications and Community Relations at Jason.Miller@Delaware.gov or call 302-379-4048.

###

Print