Aspiring correction offi cer overcomes homelessness
As an aspiring correction offi cer, Fama Thiam hopes to change negative
perceptions of the profession often seen and read about in the media.
Photo courtesy of John Jay College of Criminal Justice
2173 White Plains Road 718-931-4335
Just South of Pelham Pkwy.
BY ROBERT WIRSING
Williamsbridge resident
Fama Thiam has overcome
impossible odds in the pursuit
of helping others.
Thiam, a fi rst generation
American of Senegalese descent
who speaks English,
French and Wolof, and her
family moved to Mott Haven
when she was 12-years-old.
Her passion for criminal
justice was inspired by viewing
police procedural and legal
drama television series
such as ‘Law & Order.’
Originally, Thiam studied
to become a nurse, but explained
that she did not feel
the same passion for the fi eld
compared to criminal justice.
While pursuing her dream,
Thiam and her family’s life
were faced with an unexpected
obstacle.
Upon returning to NYC after
a two month vacation in
Senegal, Thiam’s family was
evicted from their 497 Tinton
Avenue apartment and had no
choice, but to move into a shelter.
Their dire situation was
exacerbated when she was
separated from her father and
brother due to their stay in a
NEW CHAPTER
WILD HARVEST
HIMALAYA
25%OFF
20%OFF
BRONX TIMES R 48 EPORTER, MAY 17-23, 2019 BTR
OPEN
7 DAYS
SALE
WE CARRY A WIDE VARIETY OF
Organic Foods, Herbs, Homeopathic Products & More
SALE ENDS 5/31/19
WE CARRY A FULL
SELECTION OF
CBD
PRODUCTS
CARLSON
men’s only shelter.
The Cadet Education, Empowerment
& Development
for Success, a collaboration
between John Jay College of
Criminal Justice and the NYC
Department of Correction,
helped Thiam cover the cost of
renting an apartment in Williamsbridge.
Thiam had to stay with
a friend of hers until she received
the money to purchase
the apartment.
She moved her family from
the shelter to the apartment
and they are doing well.
“As a correction offi cer,
I hope to change the negative
mentality most people
have about the job because
of what’s shown in the media
and in the newspapers,” she
explained.
Thiam added that she
hopes to show everyone the
positive aspects of what correction
offi cers do such as establishing
good relationships
with inmates and fellow offi -
cers and bring more programs
which can help inmates rejoin
society as good, hardworking
citizens.
Despite her parents’ initial
reservations about her becoming
a correction offi cer, they
remain supportive of Thiam’s
career choice.
As part of her studies,
Thiam has toured Rikers Island
and works alongside
correction offi cers stationed
there.
Though some inmates have
tried intimidating Thiam, she
remains undaunted and is always
escorted by a correction
offi cer.
She will graduate from
John Jay College of Criminal
Justice with a Bachelor’s Degree
in Criminal Justice in
May.
Thiam is set to enroll in
the NYC Correction Academy
in August.
The Correction Academy
prepares recruits for their careers
by providing on the job
training and daily briefi ngs
on the duties and responsibilities
of a corrections offi cer.
Staff are educated and
trained in interpersonal communication
skills, defensive
tactics, fi rearms training, fi rst
aid/CPR, adolescent inmate
behavior management, mental
health training, inmate
disciplinary procedures, preventing
workplace violence,
report writing, suicide prevention
and intervention, and
use of force/use of restraints
procedures.
For additional information
about the CEEDS program,
visit www.jjay.cuny.edu/nycdoc
ceeds.
/nyc-doc-ceeds
/nyc-doc-ceeds
/nyc-doc-ceeds