Becton’s Criminal Justice class attended their annual trip to the Bergen County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center, led my History teacher, Mrs. Kimberly DePeri.
“I’ve been organizing the trip to the Bergen County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center every year for students enrolled in the Criminal Justice class. One of the units we cover is the Purpose of Punishment, where students examine the effects of incarceration and debate whether the intended goals are truly achieved. We dedicate considerable time in class to discussing and debating these issues, so I always feel that visiting an actual jail greatly enhances our understanding of the topic. I’ve been taking students on this trip every year since I started teaching this class to help them visualize the lessons,” Mrs. DePeri shared.
Junior Claire Duardo echoes, “This trip helped us better understand the conditions of incarceration and the challenges faced by both the inmates and correctional staff.”
The class’s day at the Bergen County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center began with a video presentation, providing an in-depth look at real inmates and their journeys through the criminal justice system. The video highlighted their criminal backgrounds and the dramatic shifts in their lives, giving students a glimpse of the harsh realities faced by individuals incarcerated for their crimes.
Following the video, the students toured the jail, observing various rooms and witnessing inmates go about their daily routines. They were shown the meals inmates eat and how they spend their time. Junior Juliana Jarosz noted that the reality of jail life is far different from what is portrayed on TV.
“The doors to get in were made of metal, and the common area had TVs controlled by the guards. There was even a gym area and a dark room with a pull-up bar,” said Junior Matthew Pintado. “It was intimidating, but also fascinating to see how prisoners live.”
Students were shown various areas of the facility, including a section reserved for high-risk offenders. There was also a section for low-level offenders, where inmates were seen interacting and engaging in daily activities, such as haircuts. “We even saw one prisoner getting a haircut from another!” Jarosz remarked, intrigued by the unexpected glimpses into their daily lives.
The students also had the opportunity to speak with members of the bomb squad, who shared insights into their roles. The bomb squad members discussed their responsibilities, such as dismantling bombs, inspecting suspicious packages, and responding to bomb threats. “The bomb squad demo was impactful. They explained how they assess situations and decide what actions to take based on the number of calls they receive,” Pintado noted.
Duardo was thrilled to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the criminal justice system, “My favorite part of the trip was definitely coming face to face with the inmates. It really brought all of our classroom lessons to life and was a deeply meaningful experience. I saw firsthand how each inmate comes from a different background, with their own story and struggles that have led them to where they are now. This experience helped me understand the complexities of the criminal justice system in a way I never had before.”
Similarly, Pintado found it fascinating to learn about the personal growth some inmates undergo, particularly how many turn to religion after incarceration. Observing these transformations provided additional insight into the emotional and psychological effects of the criminal justice system, further deepening the students’ understanding.
Junior Taylor Bails shared that the experience has inspired her to pursue a career in criminal justice. “Learning about all of the cases and laws in class, and seeing the jail, has definitely made me want to fight for what’s right and even inspired me to potentially have a job in law,” she espresses.
The Bergen County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center field trip has been an annual, and certainly enlightening, experience for all students and will continue for years to come.
