The New York City Department of Correction collaborated with John Jay College of Criminal Justice to form the Cadet Education, Empowerment, and Development for Success (CEEDS) program, the first of its kind. This program identifies juniors and seniors interested in careers in corrections, criminal justice, and public service (John Jay College of Criminal Justice, n.d.). Potential students must undergo a background check, including medical and psychological testing and a physical agility test.

Once accepted into the program, students receive a stipend of $3,000 per semester to help cover part of tuition costs. In return, students sign a one-year contract committing themselves to work for the agency. Participants engage in focused academic coursework while also receiving structured training aligned with departmental standards and expectations.

The program includes academy-style instruction, monthly meetings, leadership development, physical training, facility tours, and supervised internship experience within the New York City jail system. Cadets are exposed to specialized units (PREA, AIU, K-9, or working in a housing area shadowing officers). Cadets learn operational procedures and ethical responsibilities inherent in correctional work. This comprehensive approach ensures students graduate not only with a degree, but with professional readiness and a clear understanding of the correctional environment.

A key component of the CEEDS cadet program’s success is its leader. The program’s company commander and mentor is 18-year veteran Master Instructor Correction Officer Karl Chin. I took over the program in 2021, and as part of my role, I manage day-to-day operations and serve as the liaison between the Department of Corrections and John Jay College. I bring both operational experience and instructional excellence to this initiative. In 2024, I was recognized as National Trainer of the Year by the American Jail Association.

That recognition represents more than personal accomplishment; it reflects a deep commitment to progressive, evidence-based training that strengthens the profession. My instructional philosophy centers on discipline, accountability, communication, and ethical decision-making. I emphasize that true instructional effectiveness requires adaptability.

For an instructor to be effective, they must recognize their students' learning style and be able to adjust, whether through hands-on application, scenario-based exercises, guided discussion, or structured classroom instruction. By meeting students where they are and challenging them to grow, I ensure that training is not only delivered, but fully understood, retained, and applied in a real-world correctional environment. These are core principles that prepare correctional officers to meet the evolving demands of today’s correctional facilities.

Under my guidance, cadets train alongside recruits when there is an academy class in session. Cadets attend a four-week boot camp, where they are challenged physically and mentally. All cadets receive the following training: Military Drills, Housing area Officer Duties, Count and Movement, Introduction to the Law, Ethics, NYS Court System, Correction Law, Deadly Physical Force, Interpersonal Communication Skills, First Aid CPR/AED, Mental Health First Aid, Use of Chemical Agents, and Firearms Simulator, Physical training and Defensive Tactics all while being mentored in servant leadership, teamwork and conflict resolution.

Cadets visit the NYS courts to learn about the structure of the courts. Then it’s off to the NYS prison system, visiting the famed Sing Sing prison. Cadets frequently visit Rikers Island to get introduced to the jail setting. Cadets also get a chance to visit the Medical Examiners’ Office. They learn about the Crime Laboratory, Toxicology, and Medical Forensics (Autopsy), and yes, we do get to see autopsies.

Since its launch in 2017, the cadet program has demonstrated measurable outcomes in recruitment and retention. Students who complete the program enter the department with realistic expectations, foundational knowledge, and established mentorship relationships. This preparation reduces attrition and strengthens institutional culture.

Equally important, CEEDS reframes corrections as a profession of purpose. By engaging students early, the program highlights the role of correction officers as leaders, problem-solvers, and public safety professionals. Cadets gain firsthand insight into the complexity of managing secure environments while supporting rehabilitation and maintaining constitutional standards.

Correctional agencies across the country are confronting a dual challenge: persistent staffing shortages and evolving public perceptions of the profession. Traditional recruitment methods alone are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of a modern correctional system. Forward-thinking agencies are recognizing the need to move beyond reactive hiring and toward proactive workforce development. The CEEDS program offers a strategic solution, developed through a partnership between John Jay College and the New York City Department of Correction.

The program demonstrates that the most effective recruitment begins long before an applicant walks into an academy. Instead of relying solely on post-graduation interest, CEEDS builds relationships with students early on, introducing them to the profession through education, mentorship, and structured exposure to real-world correctional environments. This intentional approach reframes recruitment as a developmental process rather than a transactional one

Through CEEDS, students gain insight into the realities, expectations, and leadership responsibilities associated with a career in corrections. Participants are mentored by experienced professionals, exposed to operational environments, and provided with training aligned to professional standards. By the time cadets consider entering the academy, they are not exploring a career; they are preparing for one.

The result is a pipeline of candidates who are:

1. Informed about the profession.
2. Professionally oriented.
3. Mentally prepared for the demands of the role.
4. Committed to service and leadership.

This model strengthens both recruitment outcomes and retention potential.