Spring training for Ontario County Youth Court is well underway, and week three brought one of the most hands-on sessions yet.

Two correctional officers from the Ontario County Jail joined our trainees to give a behind-the-scenes look at what their jobs really look like day to day. From how the jail operates to the equipment officers rely on, our youth volunteers got an up-close look at a side of the justice system most people never see.

The clear favorite? The K-9 detective. Officers walked trainees through the range of things a trained K-9 can detect and the process behind getting these dogs ready for the job. Youth also had the chance to handle and examine real equipment, including vests, body cameras, hand and foot shackles, and a pepper ball gun.

Then came the police car. “The kids were super interested and engaged. They asked tons of questions and wanted to try everything the officers offered,” said Anamari Wallace-Reyes, Ontario Cares Youth Court program assistant. “It was a super successful training in my eyes.”

With five weeks still to go, the learning is just getting started. Next on the schedule: Unconscious Bias training, giving our Youth Court trainees a deeper awareness of their own personal biases and how recognizing them can lead to long-term changes that boost diversity and inclusion in the courtroom and in life.