Money the youth earn goes either toward restitution or into a savings account. Moreover, the training residents receive at the academy allows them to give back to the community. For example, Habitat for Humanity is turning an entire project over to the academy. Under the supervision of HBI, residents complete construction of homes, including electrical wiring, plumbing, and landscaping. Services at the academy are not limited to vocational training.
Residents also receive an extensive regimen of basic education.
Securicor contracts with the neighboring Polk County School Board to provide teaching staff. It has one computer per student and uses computer training extensively for language and math literacy. To date, the academy has released 300 youth, with an average stay of nine months. Average reading skills have improved by 1.7 grade levels and math skills by 1.6 grade levels. All rights reserved.