SUNY Canton Starts New Corrections Academy for Summer 2019

SUNY Canton is launching a brand-new corrections academy as part of its full lineup of Criminal Justice-related academic programs.

The college has entered into an agreement with the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, and the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to create the SUNY Canton Corrections Academy, which will both prepare current and future corrections officers for their careers.

“We are looking forward to this partnership with SUNY Canton as we endeavor to establish a basic academy that produces the most capable and professional officers entering our facilities,” said St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin M. Wells.

It is the second corrections academy linked with a college in New York State, but is the first to expand its traditional academic offerings to encompass this employment field.

“What sets our academy apart is that our students can enroll for college credit,” said Elizabeth A. Brown, Ph.D., a professor in the college’s Criminal Investigation program. “We will offer a four-credit culminating experience course in corrections which will be open to students who want to become corrections officers. Half of the available seats will be reserved for SUNY students.”

A student could enroll in the corrections academy and also potentially enroll in the David Sullivan St. Lawrence County Law Enforcement Academy as part of their SUNY Canton education.  The arrangement could lead to a four-year degree with pre-certifications as both a corrections officer and police officer, Brown said.

Currently, corrections officers attend the basic academy on site at the St. Lawrence County Corrections facility, according to Rodney Votra, programs director and training coordinator for the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.

“The most important benefit of working with SUNY Canton is that we can now place corrections officers in a professional classroom setting,” Votra said. “Similar to the college’s established law enforcement academy, this new offering will instill the pride, structure and discipline necessary to be successful in the corrections profession.”

The inaugural academy will run from June 3 to July 3, 2019, coinciding with SUNY Canton’s second Summerterm session. The college will also be offering two upper-level online corrections management courses allowing students to earn as many as 10 credits. Cadets can opt to live in Kennedy Hall Suites during the academy.