Corrections Community

We are reviewing the curriculum for the Basic Corrections Academy in Oregon.  It is currently 5 weeks long.  I would like to know what the length of training for basic corrections is in other states.

I would also like to know what subjects are covered if your training is over 5 weeks in length.

 

Thank you

Doug

Doug,

 

Our basic training for Corrections in IL. is also 5 weeks long.  Click on the link below for the information they cover.  Also we send them through 5 more week of classroom training before we assign them to a CTO. 

 http://www.ptb.state.il.us/training/51104BCO%20Curriculum.pdf

 

Please contact me if you have any questions.

 

Thank you

Sgt. Steve Laudick

Training Coordinator

McHenry County Sheriff’s Office

2200 N. Seminary Ave.

Woodstock, IL 60098

815-334-4912

In Vermont we also run a 5 week basic training with a pre-week shadow and two post week FTO OJT at their intuition.

You can look at our academy agenda at this link, http://www.doc.state.vt.us/__data/page/136/Microsoft_Word_-_Agenda.pdf

 

Arkansas

I attended the Arkansas Academy this past March.  It was a 6-week program with 6 days of FTO as part of the 6 Weeks (the first Friday was at my assigned unit and 5 days of OJT/FTO later in the course).   During the course we also are scheduled for a trip to one of the Units to assist in a shakedown/ search with the assistance of the Officers assigned to that particular Unit. My class took 73 officers to the Malvern Unit (about a 1 1/2 hour bus ride) and we searched every cell.  There was some interesting contraband found, confiscated and documented in those hours.  The Major (Chief of Security) of the Unit was very happy with the total unit shakedown.   All of the off site activities were the most helpful for my corrections education.

 

I attempted to find a link as others have for the basic curriculum but I was unsuccessful.  I do know that there is a change to the length of the course.  It was announced that it was going to be longer.  If I remember it is to be extended to 8 weeks.

 

 

Hope this was Helpful

Mike

Florida requires a 14 week (approx.) basic corrections academy. My agency then requires a four week FTO program. All of this is preceded by up to four months of job shadowing, from date of hire until the beginning of the next academy, as needed. Probation is 16 months long and all new officers sign a two year contract.

Doug,

Jail Basic Academies by State Standards run 6 weeks in the State of Virginia.  However, I am not aware of any academies that only offer a 6 week.  Prince William currently instructs a 9 week academy and a minimum of 120 hours F.T.O.  I have posted the Prince William Academy calendar under "share a file" for you to view the lesson topics...some are mandated by the State and other topics are obvious to the job that we do.  Department of Criminal Justice Services mandates all public safety training for sworn staff.  The mandated training for jails is changing in 7/1/07.  By way of the proposals that have been added, changed and extended it looks as though our Academy will be extended to approximately 14 weeks.  One area that does not show on the calendar that I posted is physical training, as this was incorporated last minute as a result of the up and coming changes that will affect our hiring and training practices. I hope this information helps and if you need any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me.  Be Safe!

 

Jails in the State of Maine each have their own FTO programs for new officers.  However the State mandates that each officer be certifed by the State Academy within one year of reaching full time status.  The current basic corrections academy is only 2 weeks, but this is in the process of changing.  THANK GOODNESS!!!!  Our FTO program constists of 1 week of classroom training and 4 weeks of OJT.

 Keith

In Jacksonville, Florida, our basic corrections academy is 532 hours long, followed by 456 hours of Field Training (FTO Program).  By separate email, I have sent you our outline for the 532 hour basic corrections academy class.

The State of Wisconsin only requires an 120 hour, or 3 week certification course. They are working on increasing it to 160 hours, but they have been saying that since I went to certification in 1997. I did not realize that we were that low.

In Texas it is 6 weeks pre service training , 3 weeks OJT training , 1 week with a mentor on the unit !!

In Missouri we are not governed by Standards. We follow the state statutes. 

As a result, for jails - each county has their own policy concerning training. We do not have to be commissioned officers to work in our jails but some counties require it. In our county, we do not.

At this time, there is no official correctional training for jails.  The Missouri Sheriff's Associate has been working on this issue for the past couple of years and they are trying to get some type of formal/official training for Correctional Officers. 

We provide two weeks of OJT with senior staff jailers.  Not nearly enough, but it's the best we can do.

The basic correction academy in Ohio is 136 hours which equates to three and half weeks.  If you need the topics, they are listed on the instructor application at:

http://www.ag.state.oh.us/le/training/forms/Instructor/SF305cbt%20-%20Unit%20Instructor%20Application.pdf  (Listed on page 4)

In Ohio this correction academy applies only to jails, the prison system operates under a separate set of laws.  The lenght of all FTO programs are left to the discretion of the individual instituion.

Doug

 In Michigan its 4 weeks . The academy is done two ways . One month straight and one week a month for 4 months.

I Like the second one better, The Deputy can come back to work after a week and apply what they have learned

 see

www.sherifftrainingcouncil.org  for the classes in our academy

        Greg

 

 

in New Hampshire, Corrections Academy is an 8 week program.  Line staff attend all but firearms.  Line staff do not have to qualify for the physical fitness criteria (NH uses Cooper's criteria for physical fitness).  The list of classes is lengthy but if you would like I will get a copy and email them to list.

Annual training is 40 hours per year.

 

 

This is how ours runs in Maryland(we are certified officers here):

  Pre-service Training Orientation: This training will vary from 3-5 days depending on the region to which you are assigned. Elements of the program include a tour of the facility where you will be assigned; an overview of the rules and regulations you will need to know; and an overview of supervising and dealing with inmates.

Ø      Academy Training: 6 weeks of classroom and academy training. You will be required to successfully complete the academy in order to be assigned to a correctional institution and continue employment. This is book work, cpr and first aid, and physical training and defensive tactics.

Ø      Field Training: The Field Training Program is a structured “on the job” training program where new employees are assigned to an experienced trainer for at least the first 80 hours on the job. The trainer will lead the new employee through a variety of hands on practical experiences.

Ø      In-service training: Correctional Officers are required to complete an annual in-service training program throughout their career. This training is designed to keep employees abreast of changes in policies and procedures and as refreshers on topics that range from emergency response to self-defense. This training may also include specialized training in computer skills, verbal communication skills, or other topics of interest to Correctional Officers.

 

after completing 6 months of work, you will be giving marksmen and gin training for 2 weeks.

 

You are on probation for 1 full year after being hired as a cOI, then will become a COII if you are satisfactory in all areas.

 Our complete training program can be found online at:

 http://mdle.net/corrtrain/

(minus the physical training part)!
 

Hope this helps

 

Pebs 

California requires a six week training academy, but agencies large enough to operate their own training academies typcially run longer. Most agencies follow with assigning the trainee with a Correctional Training Officer for 8-12 weeks. California jail training standards are regulated by the Corrections Standards Authority (CSA), Standards and Training for Corrections (STC). The academy module contents may be found at:

http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/DivisionsBoards/CSA/StandardsAndTrainingForCorrections.html

Lieutenant Craig Wilson

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, California 

 

Nebraska has a 2 week (80 hours) basic jail operations/management course, covering legal issues, suicide prevention, PPCT and DT, fingerprinting, fire safety, report writing, cell searches, etc.  The 80 hours are required within the first year of employment for newly hired staff members.  The 80 hours and within the first year are required by Nebraska Minimum Jail Standards, and as a state inspector, I have cited jails on failing to comply with these Standards.

Montana has a three week academy for both Correction and Detention Officer, then each agency can decide if and how long their own OJT training is.  Most run another 3 weeks then an FTO program.  

What I have gathered so far is listed below.

I am now looking for anyone who is using distant learning to enhance there pre or post academy training hours. I know that the police have a few academies that are doing a couple of weeks worth of classroom instruction on CD's that are sent prior to the academy.

Corrections Academy Training hours
Alaska	240 hours
Arkansas	6 weeks	soon 8 weeks
California	6 weeks
California	176 hours
Florida	14 weeks
Hawaii	328 hours
Illinois	5 weeks
Maine	2 weeks
Maryland	6 weeks
Michigan	4 weeks
Missouri	county by county
Montana	3 weeks
Nebraska	2 weeks
New Hampshire	8 weeks
Ohio	136 hours
Oregon	200 hours
Texas	6 weeks
Utah	163 hours
Vermont	5 weeks
Virginia	6 weeks
Washington	160 hours
Wisconsin	3 weeks

What I have gathered so far is listed below.

I am now looking for anyone who is using distant learning to enhance there pre or post academy training hours. I know that the police have a few academies that are doing a couple of weeks worth of classroom instruction on CD's that are sent prior to the academy.

Corrections Academy Training hours
Alaska	240 hours
Arkansas	6 weeks	soon 8 weeks
California