Detention & Corrections Pathway
Prepare students for careers in detention, corrections, and public safety through hands-on learning in correctional operations, facility security, inmate supervision, communication, ethics, conflict resolution, and rehabilitation.
This pathway is designed for Law and Justice CTE programs, corrections career academies, and students interested in careers in jails, prisons, juvenile detention, and correctional services.
Pathway at a Glance
Recommended Grades: 9–12
Program Length: 3–4 courses
Credential Opportunities: Basic Detention Cadet is being created in partnership with the American Correctional Association, for now refer to the National Law Enforcement Cadet Certification (NLEC) + Multiple Certifications and Micro-Credentials
Student Organization: SkillsUSA, ENGAGE
Work-Based Learning: Local, state, and federal correctional facilities; county jails and sheriff’s offices; juvenile detention centers; probation and parole agencies; community corrections programs; and related criminal justice and public safety organizations.
Course 1 Introduction
- Introduction to Law and Public Safety (ILPS)
Course 2 Core
- Foundations of Detention and Corrections (FDC)
Course 3+ Extension Options
- Criminal & Constitutional Law (CCL)
- Drones for Law & Public Safety (DLPS)
- Foundations of Criminal Investigations (FCI)
- Foundations of Forensic Science (FFS)
- Foundations of Emergency Communications & Dispatch (FECD)
- Foundations of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FEMHS)
- Foundations of Emergency Medical Services (FEMS)
- Foundations of Law Enforcement (FLE)
- Foundations of Security & Protective Services (FSPS)
Why This Pathway Is Designed This Way
The LAPSEN Detention & Corrections Pathway was developed with input from corrections professionals, detention administrators, public safety leaders, and educators. This input emphasized that high school programs should focus on career exploration, strong fundamentals, employability skills, and preparation for the next step—rather than advanced correctional officer training better suited for an academy or postsecondary program.
Students begin with a broad understanding of law and public safety, teamwork, communication, ethics, career opportunities, and workplace skills before developing more focused knowledge of detention and correctional operations, facility security, inmate supervision, professional responsibilities, and conflict resolution.
Rather than adding increasingly advanced corrections courses, the pathway encourages students to broaden their preparation through related areas such as law enforcement, criminal law, investigations and forensics, behavioral health, emergency communications, or emergency medical services. This approach helps students understand the broader criminal justice and public safety system while preparing them for entry-level employment, correctional officer training, or continued education after graduation.
Introduction Course
Industry and advisory committees helped craft our approach to pathways. LAPSEN recommends a common introduction course across all law and public safety pathways. Our course model begins with Introduction to Law & Public Safety, which provides a broad foundation across the public safety pathways and helps students discover where their interests lie
Introduction to Law & Public Safety (ILPS)
Recommended introductory course
Introduction to Law & Public Safety gives students an exciting, hands-on introduction to the full range of public safety careers rather than focusing on a single profession. Students learn how law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency communications, emergency management, security, corrections, and other disciplines work together while building practical skills through simulations, scenarios, and team-based activities. The course can incorporate CERT, Stop the Bleed, 9-1-1 communications, CPR/AED, FEMA training, and other credential opportunities, giving students meaningful accomplishments while they explore future pathways. Most importantly, students experience how modern public safety actually works and can make a more informed decision about which pathway they want to pursue next.
Standards & Course Guide | LAPSEN Lesson Plans | Course Resources
Core Course
The core course serves as the anchor of each pathway, providing students with the essential knowledge and skills of that profession. It goes beyond career exploration to cover the key concepts, practices, and hands-on competencies students need at an appropriate depth to build a strong foundation for advanced coursework and career preparation.
Foundations of Detention & Corrections (FDC)
Recommended core course
Detention and Corrections prepares students for entry-level career opportunities in correctional and detention settings through foundational instruction in correctional operations, professional responsibilities, ethics, and legal standards. Students explore facility security, inmate supervision, intake and classification, searches, de-escalation, documentation, and emergency response. Hands-on activities and performance-based assessments allow students to demonstrate essential skills while building a career readiness portfolio. The course incorporates 18 National Correctional Officer Readiness (NCOR) micro-credentials and prepares students for the LAPSEN NCOR Credential examination. This credential validates foundational career readiness but does not replace required academy training, state certification, or agency-specific requirements.
Standards & Course Guide | LAPSEN Lesson Plans | Course Resources
Extention Courses
Extension courses build beyond the core by allowing students to develop deeper expertise within their pathway or gain complementary skills from related public safety fields. Guided by industry needs, these courses provide a broader, more complete education and help students understand how different public safety professions work together. This flexibility allows schools to design advanced coursework that best supports student interests, local workforce needs, and career goals. Click on the course abbreviations to learn more.
- Criminal & Constitutional Law (CCL)
- Drones for Law & Public Safety (DLPS)
- Foundations of Criminal Investigations (FCI)
- Foundations of Detention and Corrections (FDC)
- Foundations of Forensic Science (FFS)
- Foundations of Emergency Communications & Dispatch (FECD)
- Foundations of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FEMHS)
- Foundations of Emergency Medical Services (FEMS)
- Foundations of Law Enforcement (FLE)
- Foundations of Security & Protective Services (FSPS)
Credentials & Certifications
Credentials matter because they give students a meaningful way to demonstrate their knowledge and skills beyond the classroom. LAPSEN works closely with industry partners, professional organizations, subject-matter experts, and educators to identify and support respected certifications and credentials that align with each pathway. Whether offered by LAPSEN or one of our partner organizations, we take credential quality and industry relevance seriously so students earn recognition that supports their next step in education or a career.
Explore our Credentials & Certifications page to learn more about industry-recognized credentials, certification opportunities, and LAPSEN’s credentialing partners.
Tier 1
These credentials require limited training — usually less than 5 hours — and focus on a specific set of skills. While valuable for building a foundation, these skills alone are not enough to secure employment. These are the lowest tier of credentials. Review the full microcredentials list.
LAPSEN Microcredentials Detention & Corrections Sets
Foundational Security Skills
Security Incident Report Writing
Foot Patrol & Building Check
Access Control Post Operation
Fire Extinguisher Use & Fire Watch
Traffic Direction & Control
Radio Communications
Security Core Operational
Contraband Screening & Bag Search
CCTV Monitoring & Camera Operation
Alarm Response
Crime Scene Protection & Evidence Preservation
Lawful Private-Person Detention & Turnover
Escort & Control of a Compliant Subject
Crisis Intervention Contact
Facility Hazard Identification Walkthrough
Security Emergency & Threat
Active Assailant Response & Lockdown Initiation
Bomb Threat Call & Suspicious Package
Evacuation Direction & Accountability
Suspicious Activity Reporting & Surveillance Detection
Social Engineering & Phishing Resistance
Security Survey & Risk Assessment
Tier 2
Requiring 5 to 40 hours of training, these credentials combine multiple skills and demonstrate a student’s commitment to an area of learning. While they do not directly guarantee a job, they represent a significant step toward workforce readiness. Review more about Certifications.
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry: Public Safety: Law Enforcement, Corrections, Security from CareerSafe
- Mental Health First Aid
- Adult First Aid / CPR / AED;
- Stop the Bleed
Tier 3
The highest level, these credentials reflect mastery in a specialized area, based on extensive training. They may be knowledge-based, skill-based, or a combination of both, and are often endorsed by national industry professional organizations. These credentials carry strong recognition with employers. Learn more about IRCs.
Basic Detention Officer (BDO) Certification
The Basic Detention Officer is currently being designed in collaboration with American Correctional Association.
In the meantime – we recommend the National Law Enforcement Cadet credential for this pathway – NLEC
Resources
Training
Instructors in the LE pathway need to have industry experience or training. If you have a specific training need email info@lapsen.org
Click Here to go to our Training Schedule
Xplorlabs
Xplorlabs is its free, STEM-focused educational program designed to inspire students through problem-based, real-world investigations in safety and sustainability. They have several forensic related lessons and resources.
Click Here to access these.
Be the Best
IADLEST – the national organization of state police certification agencies – together with LAPSEN have established a certification to identify the LE careers.
Click Here to learn more.
Student Recognition
Your students can be members of the National Technical Honors Society PLUS a special endorsement for achievement in law and public safety! Don’t have an NTHS? They are super easy to start and no extra work!
Click Here to learn more.
Career Posters
LAPSEN designed several career posters for instructors to download and print for their classrooms.
Click Here to go to download folder
Equipment Lists
Georgia’s state equipment list. Use tabs on bottom of sheets – Click Here
Hawai’i’s state equipment list. Click Here
Programs of Excellence
The national Industry Credentialed Program of Excellence (ICPE) is designed to make the best better. Applicant programs must demonstrate competencies across several standards. LAPSEN specialists assist applicant programs throughout the process with training, guides and mentorship.
Click Here to learn more. Do YOU have the BEST program?
National Program Directory
The National Census of Youth Law Enforcement Programs was funded by the DOJ COPS grant program.
Search the directory for programs near you – Click Here
Is your program is in the directory? If not: Click Here
Great Links
American Correctional Association – at 155 years, it is the oldest professional organization. Great resources – Click Here
National Institute of Corrections – the national agency over corrections. Research, news and resources: Click Here
Georgia Department of Corrections YouTube Channel – dozens and dozens of videos on a variety of topics from careers to “Meth Madness”: Click Here
International Corrections & Prisons Association – A ton of research. I mean “copious” doesn’t begin to describe it. Most of the research requires you to join – but maybe your school will pay? Worth looking around: Click Here
Competitions
The I&F pathway national CTSO is SkillsUSA. There are several ways for students to participate in SkillsUSA
For more information visit www.skillsusa.org/competitions or reach out to info@lapsen.org
Criminal Justice
This competition is a single competitor preparing to be officers or to work in other areas of criminal justice.
CSI Team
This competition for a team of 3 is designed to evaluate team members’ skills in processing a crime scene.
Career Pathways - Human Services
Student teams use their course of study as the basis of a project that will benefit their class, school, community or industry.
Commercial sUAS Drone
This competition for a team of 2 is designed to evaluate team members’ skills in the safe and efficient use of drone technology
Job Skill Demonstration - 3 Contests
Competitors demonstrate and explain an entry-level skill used in the occupational area for which they are training. “A” refers to skills taught in the pathway. “Open” is usually a skill learned in WBL or similar that is outside the pathway. “Action Skills” is for students with IEPs. In all cases, the skill should be hands on as it is a “demonstration.”
Robotics - Urban Search and Rescue
A student team designs and operates a robot that simulate equipment used in rescue operations.
There are dozens more that cover everything from speeches to specifc skill sets.
National Pathway Director
Joseph “Jay” Borgquist
After over a decade in all aspects of detention, law enforcement and investigations, Jay started his career in teaching. He has quickly established himself as a top instructor and curriculum designer. He leads training in dispatch, security, new teacher orientation and instructional design. Always looking for ways to improve his students’ experience, he designed a simulation program for his students to teach communication skills that is now used nationwide.
Click Here for his LinkedIn
Email: sps@lapsen.org
