On May 1, a group of trainees from Basic Training Class 1903 volunteered their time after class to conduct an Adopt-a-Highway cleanup along Route 230 in front of the Training Academy grounds. The group of trainees included DOC institutional personnel as well as personnel from the Board of Probation and Parole. The trainees were assisted by Training Academy staff who volunteered to help as well. A total of 70-75 people volunteered and an estimated 60 bags of trash and debris were cleaned up.
In the past, the DOC Training Academy has sponsored a 2-mile stretch of Route 230 through PennDOT's Adopt-a-Highway program. In order to sponsor a roadway, the group must perform periodic cleanups to help the appearance and cleanliness along that stretch of roadway. This year, the Academy renewed its sponsorship to get trainees involved in a community service project. Its training staff surveyed each of their groups from Basic Training Class 1903 to get interest in the project. An overwhelming majority of the trainees, especially those who are staying on grounds, were eager to step up and give back to the local community. There were representatives from all the Basic Training institutional groups, as well as the probation and parole group.
The event kicked off at 5 p.m. at the front of the Academy with a safety briefing and a description of the work that needed to be completed, as well as remarks and recognition from Training Academy staff. The participants were then outfitted with safety equipment and garbage bags and shuttled out to the furthest point along the roadway. For the next two hours, the group diligently worked their way back to the front entrance of the academy, cleaning up approximately 50 bags worth of garbage and debris from the roadway. After the cleanup, group leaders and training sergeants drove home the point that as corrections employees, our staff are community servants, and that they demonstrated this by giving back to the community with our spring Greenup Cleanup project.