Corrections Certificate Program provides new educational opportunities for officers

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Kentucky State University announced their partnership with the Lexington Division of Community Corrections in providing correctional officers a program to advance their educational opportunities.

The Correction Certificate Program is an eight-week, fully online program that offers several different classes including intro to criminal justice, criminal justice ethics and interracial communication.

Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo, President of Kentucky State University, says this is an initiative he’s proud to support.

“These people do such a phenomenal job for our community, but finding a way to elevate them and get them where they need to be to provide a better service to our community is something I’m always aiming for,” Dr. Akakpo said.

The university says they understand the importance of a work/life balance and adding school to that equation can be difficult.

It requires a lot of hours sometimes working as a corrections officer and we’re raising families, and you know, it becomes a challenge, Lexington Division of Community Corrections Chief Scott Colvin said. “It’s not that the people of the division don’t want to possess a degree, it’s just that there aren’t enough hours in the day.”

Which is why the correctional facility says they’re thankful for this new partnership.