Criminal Justice Corrections Program Is Back

The Modesto campus is excited to have one of its most sought after programs back after a hiatus of several months. The 14-month, AS degree, Criminal Justice Corrections program is back by popular demand from the corrections industry to help fill a tremendous need for well-trained personnel created by:

• Prison realignment that sends low-level offenders back to county jails
• Overpopulated state prisons that transfer inmates back to county jails for continued incarceration
• General increase in inmate census
• New jail construction, which requires additional personnel

The CJC program always attracts attention from students on campus, especially when you see CJC students outside practicing drills, such as weaponless defense tactics, baton training, arrest/control techniques, firearms use (non-discharge, except at firing range) and emergency First Aid/CPR.

Training also includes specialty areas of interest and responsibility, such as crime scene investigation, evidence recovery, and crime analysis – all those intriguing CSI elements that make this career perfect for those who have lots of natural curiosity and just cannot rest until the mystery is solved.

“Law enforcement is intended to reflect the community it serves, so most anyone can apply,” says Donald Martin, CJC Program Director on the Modesto campus. There are some important qualifications, however. The best CJC candidates:

• Are people-oriented and work well with others
• Is motivated to work in the criminal justice corrections field
• One who is in, or can get in, good physical condition
• Who have no felony convictions
• Who are disciplined and ready to work toward their career goal

A unique benefit to SJVC’s CJC program is POST (Peace Officers Standard of Training) academy training, which few other colleges or Corrections training facilities provide. This means that employers, such as county jails do not have to spend tight budget funds to put new hires through this required training.  This makes SJVC’s CJC graduates in much greater demand.

Another advantage for SJVC CJC students is a PC 832 (Penal Code) certificate they earn during training, which is required for peace officer status and California Standards and Training adult core correctional officer and Core academy recognized by the California County Sheriff’s departments.

“I got ahead of a lot of other people in the hiring process because I already had the Core Academy,” says Javier Arteaga, who graduated from SJVC’s CJC program several years ago. “I was placed as No. 1 in seniority because of it and was already working in the field while the other 19 new hires were going through the Academy.”

“Our CJC graduates are ready to work in all counties in California when they finish the program,” says Mr. Martin. “County corrections facilities will not have to pay for their Core training and wish we had more graduates to send them right now.”

The CJC program in Modesto is scheduled to re-open in September. There will be a workshop on July 23 with representatives from the corrections community and previous CJC graduates on hand to talk with prospective students and their families and friends.

The Modesto campus is located at 5380 Pirrone Rd., Salida, CA and can be reached at 209-809-2125. The CJC program will be offered evenings, Monday-Thursday.

If you know someone who is a good fit for a career in the criminal justice field and who lives near the Modesto area, let them know about this popular program.