LOCAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM MODULE OVERVIEW
BOOKING AND INTAKE SCREENING
The local corrections officer must know and understand the proper procedures for booking prisoners into their facilities. Additionally, the corrections officer must understand and appreciate his, her legal responsibilities and the consequences of his, her actions during the booking process. Proper booking and intake screening are vital to the agency in terms of liability. Booking and Intake Screening is designed to follow the normal flow of activity in a typical facility during the booking process and familiarize the officer with all aspects of the booking and intake screening process.
CORRECTIONAL LAW
This sixteen hour module examines legal principles and processes which impact on the custody of inmates and the management of local correctional facilities. A prime objective of this course is to give the officer more confidence through knowledge of the law and at the same time, reduce resentment of legal parameters by familiarizing the officer with the basis for important legal decisions. By examining benchmark cases involving inmate and staff lawsuits as well as legislation, the student gains insight about the basis for many of the laws which affect his, her daily duties.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Traditionally, correctional facilities have placed greater emphasis on the mechanics of incarceration (i.e. institution security, key control, and emergency procedures) than on the interpersonal skills of the staff. This four hour module is designed to sensitize correctional staff to ethnic issues when dealing with inmates and staff. Origins of prejudice, bias and bigotry are examined, as well as methods for dealing with ethnic, racial and religious differences between people.
CUSTODY & SECURITY
This 24 hour training program is designed to acquaint local correctional staff with security issues and procedures. Information includes weapons and key control, inmate counts and security checks, inmate movement, contraband recognition and control and searches. Security issues relative to trustee and day-parole inmates are covered. Transportation of prisoners, courtroom security, hospital security, and unusual occurrences such as hostage situations are addressed.
DEFENSIVE TACTICS
This forty hour module introduces the corrections officer to proven methods of both defensive and offensive techniques utilized in the control of violent inmates. The preferred programs used in the Local Corrections Training Program are Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) Inmate Control,
PPCT GAGE and PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense. Cutting Edge defensive tactics training has been accepted as an equivalent to PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense (1/23/09).
ETHICS in CORRECTIONS
This two hour module is designed to enhance and reinforce the sense of pride and professionalism that all corrections officers feel but do not readily express. Ethical decision making exercises create discussion designed to make officers think about the proper method of handling a myriad of situations which may occur during a tour of duty in the jail.
FIRE SAFETY
The purpose of this module is to acquaint the local correctional officer with basic fire science and an understanding of characteristics of smoke spread throughout a structure. Corrections officers also learn proper fire suppression techniques utilizing portable fire extinguishers and how to function within a smoke filled environment using a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Emphasis is placed upon function, proper use and maintenance of the self contained breathing apparatus.
The module is not intended to make a local corrections officer a "fire fighter". As a result of successfully completing the Fire Safety Program, corrections staff are able to quickly recognize and suppress small fires and effectively implement rescue procedures for personnel and inmates during fire and smoke situations in a competent and professional manner.
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
This program has been used by corrections agencies for several years to train officers in skills needed to effectively communicate with prisoners and defuse hostile encounters. This National Institute of Corrections (NIC) course is designed to be skills oriented and is a 16 hour program. The program uses a combination of text and video scenarios to demonstrate communication skills. In addition, students are involved in role playing exercises to practice the skills learned.
PRISONER BEHAVIOR
This module addresses characteristics of human behavior, specifically the antisocial manipulative behavior which many inmates engage in as well as specific mental disorders which are exhibited by many inmates. The module also explores methods of dealing with the behavior and illness effectively.
REPORT WRITING
Clear, concise, and objective report writing is one of the most important tools in correctional facility management today. Well written reports improve inmate management, enhance security, and increase protection from liability for the agency. This module is designed to improve the corrections officer's basic writing skills and provide techniques which enhance the officer's effectiveness in documenting inmate behavior and occurrences in the jail.
WORKPLACE HARASSMENT
This two hour training module addresses the issue of sexual harassment by examining its causes, manifestations and ramifications, both personal and legal. The Elliot-Larsen Act is a major focal point of the module, as well as definition of and remedies for sexual harassment.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress is as much a part of corrections work as bars and keys. This module examines the causes of stress, the effects of stress on the mind and body, and effective methods of stress reduction which officers can practice on their own.
SUICIDE AWARENESS
This training module is designed to make the correctional officer aware of causes for suicidal behavior, symptoms of suicidal behavior, and the responsibilities of the correctional facility and staff in preventing prisoner suicide. The training focuses on commonly exhibited behavior of suicidal prisoners, prevention and intervention techniques, and emergency procedures for attempted suicides.
FIRST AID/CPR/AED
This training module is designed to train the correctional officer in the required skills for a first responder. The approved programs are American Red Cross, Workplace Training: Standard First Aid; American Heart Association, Heartsaver First Aid , and American Safety & Health Institute, First Responder.
A written examination, based on the training objectives, is administered at the completion of each module. A passing score of 70% is required for all modules except Defensive Tactics and First Aid/CPR/AED. For those programs, the standard required by the program’s provider will be the standard for successful completion. Additionally, a practical exam is included in the Fire Safety, Custody and Security, First Aid/CPR/AED and Defensive Tactics modules. Successful completion of the practical exams is required for a passing grade in the module
