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Aspiring correction offi cer overcomes homelessness
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-yearsold.
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
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
P.S. 178 Unveils
Solar System
Mosaic Mural
P.S. 178 and Lehman College Art Gallery
held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate
the school’s new Solar System
Mosaic Mural on Tuesday, April 30.
(right) (l-r) Anaya Reid, Abdul Muid and
principal Deborah Levine were eager to
cut the ribbon unveiling the fi fth grade
solar system mosaic.
(far right) A student showed his design to
incorporate into the mosaic mural.
(below) Students designed illustrations
for the fi fth grade mosaic.
(below right) Students and teachers admired
the ‘out of this world’ mural.
Photos by Edward Watkins
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.
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
13 BRONX WEEKLY May 19, 2019
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