Grafton youth spend time in the slammer

It was an unforgettable experience for the participants of the Grafton Police Department’s Youth Police Academy when the gates of the jail shut behind them.

A procession of more than 20 young adults began their tour of the Worcester County Jail and House of Corrections. The annual academy class spent the day learning about the many different roles at the jail and how extensive the field of corrections is.

While many were apprehensive at first, the group quickly became acclimated to the environment. Participants were allowed to walk the housing blocks, speak with correctional staff, and even hear from Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. 

The visitors were also exposed to the realities of incarceration and the daily routine of the over 600 inmates serving their time. Sheriff Evangelidis made it clear to the academy that inmates are not coddled at the Worcester County Jail. However, Evangelidis explained that the facility is willing to meet inmates halfway. 

“These individuals (inmates) must want to invest in themselves,” said Evangelidis. “In addition to health services and mental health counseling, we also provide a wide array of services to inmates. Our staff does life-changing work on a daily basis, and there are many admirable career paths to pursue in corrections. There is a lot more to this facility than simply locking people up.” 

Additionally, the group visited the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Stables, where the Worcester Police Department houses its patrol horses. Attendees learned about the partnership between the two departments and that Worcester PD’s horses were boarded right on the facility grounds. Furthermore, attendees strolled the fields of the largest organic farm on a correctional facility in Massachusetts. The farm, adjacent to the stables, produces nearly 40,000 lbs. of fresh organic produce for many non-profits in Worcester County each year.

Officer Mark Alves, Grafton School Resource Officer, commented “We had a great visit and we always look forward to bringing the cadets to the jail. Some of the cadets are interested in law enforcement and with Corrections Officers being part of the law enforcement family, we wanted to show them what it’s like to work in a correctional facility. The Grafton Police Department would like to thank Sheriff Evangelidis, Deputy Superintendent Jackson, and the staff members throughout the facility for making it a great experience for the cadets. We are looking forward to returning next year!”

Officer Alves explained that the Grafton Youth Police Academy is a program open to students who have an interest in law enforcement, emergency services, or the military. The program offers a variety of activities and lessons aimed at building leaders in the community. Students are exposed to many activities and speakers in the field of law enforcement. The curriculum includes evidence collection/crime scene investigation, CPR/first responder training, K-9 demonstration, jail visit, motor vehicle law stops, CEMLEC SWAT, and many other facets of law enforcement.

“We always welcome youth groups to the Worcester County Jail,” Evangelidis said. “We were thrilled to partner with the Grafton Police Department for this visit. The group was polite, attentive, and engaging. Law enforcement is a crucial aspect of our society. This group will have a well-rounded understanding of the field upon completion of the academy.”