DOC academy pushed back

The Department of Corrections academy, which was supposed to begin next month, has been tentatively rescheduled for March.

DOC Commissioner Anthony Torres said in an interview that DOC’s next scheduled academy is still in the works and may now be launched sometime around March.

“Theres no update on training right now. We’re still meeting with the Workforce Investment Agency in the next week or so. We were shooting for a target date of Feb. 25 [but] we might have to move it to March. As soon as we get more updates, we will release [more information],” he said.

In a previous interview with Torres, he said he will be looking for the Commonwealth’s finest young men and women to be part of the upcoming correctional academy, which will be the 10th cycle of the academy.

DOC currently has about 110 Corrections officers and Torres said he would be comfortable with an additional 25.

“Ideally, I would like to have a total of 150 officers. I would love to pick up about 30 to 40 cadets, but due to budget constraints…I’m okay with an additional 25. I’m looking to get us beefed up in our staffing and to get this going,” he said.

Torres, with his vast knowledge and experience in Corrections, will take part in the academy.

“I’m going to be a part of this academy, whether it being an instructor or going out and observing. I’m excited because it’s an opportunity for jobs, to build our staff, and it’s an opportunity to be a part of the training. We will be working with the Northern Marianas College,” he said.

Anthony Torres