The Criminal Justice classes took a visit to the Regional Justice Center as well as the Detention Center to take an inside look at the justice system in action.
While many classes do a hands-on experiment or put on a performance, the Criminal Justice class takes hands-on learning to a higher level. All criminal justice periods individually take a trip with a packed and unique schedule full of fun and exciting opportunities. In the first semester the classes took a trip to the RJC (Regional Justice Center) or the court house, to build the foundation of the justice system that would later be built upon in class. Second semester the classes took a trip to the Detention Center and either the RJC or Municipal courts.
With having a different schedule for every class, this created a different experience for each class. The second period class was able to observe the principal, Mr. Goode, in a mock trial where he was “arrested”. The sixth period class was able to visit the WIN (Women In Need) courts. Karoline Watters ‘26 explained, “We were the first class that went to the Municipal courts. We went to a specialty court called WIN. They help these women that have been in really bad situations. The court basically helps get them back to life and they help support them and pay for what they need.”
Students were able to meet with real professionals in the justice system. This provided a space to ask questions and even gain contact information for their future. The trip to either the RJC or the Municipal court, built a foundation for the following trip to the Detention Center. Chaperone and teacher Brandon Archie explained that, “Morgan [Lombardo], a lawyer and Bishop Gorman alumni, put our visit into perspective by telling us not everyone we see in the detention center is a bad human being, but that we could be catching them on their worst day. This helped me feel empathy for those that we saw in the detention center because we truly do not know some of their stories.” Through experiences like these students and teachers, were able to make connections between the courts and the detention center systems.
After a morning full of learning, fun, and food, every class then went to the detention center. They had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the facilities.
Being face to face with inmates and officers was a new and unique experience for all involved. Sophia Kirkpatrick ‘26 expressed, “I think I was definitely a little bit nervous just because you don’t know what you’re going to walk into, and you just assume things going into a detention center. All the cops were super confident, and it kind of makes you a little bit more secure.”
Although there were feelings of uneasiness and a sense of nervousness, each student was able to leave with a newfound appreciation for the system and an overall realization of their gratitude. “The experience showed me how many privileges that I have and how lucky I am to be in the position that I am. With what I was raised by, who I was raised by, and the environment that I am in.” Kirkpatrick said.
These valuable lessons will stay with the students for their entire lives. Whether they choose a career in this field or not, this will always be an experience to remember. “I have always told my students and athletes that you have to be able to manage the moment, to handle the situation. Those that do not handle the moment, do not get a chance to handle the situation later, and oftentimes can end up in a detention center” Archie expressed.
