Kate Barnard Correctional Center was once home to hundreds of female offenders. But when the prison closed in 2021, ODOC administrators had a vision for the facility – to give this space a second chance, much like the women who were once incarcerated here.

“We have a new philosophy at DOC – we change lives,” Chief Administrator of Training Anthony Johnston said. “One of the first things we told [the cadets] was, ‘You are the tip of the spear. We have a new attitude, a new mission here at DOC, and you’re the first group with this new mission in mind.’” After an extensive remodel, the old prison officially became the agency’s new cadet training academy.

In past years, regional academies were held costing the department money and resources.

Centralizing the academy allows for a higher standard of training for future officers.

The paramilitary academy focuses on more classroom instruction and physical fitness training for recruits.

The facility is equipped to host dozens of cadets each academy and contains