Md. correctional officers graduate Friday
By: Bob Stone
Updated: August 24, 2012
HAGERSTOWN, MD - New Maryland correctional officers completed their training and graduated Friday.
The course used to take only 26 days, but it's been extended to 35 to better prepare future correctional officers for the things they may face in today's prisons. It also includes more defense training. This graduating class was the first of many to be put through this extensive course.
"I think it's a benefit for the safety of the institution, the safety of the inmates involved and you know our priorities are safety of the public, safety of the staff and safety of the inmates. With staff being capable of performing their duties in a very positive fashion I think it's a very good thing," says Wayne Webb.
"Our screening process prior to this was a lot less stringent," says Captain Hill. "Anybody could pretty much get hired based on your background and things like that and now you come in our academy, we will dismiss you if you're not going to be able to do any of these techniques because obviously we want you to be able to defend yourself and other employees while you're working in the institutional environment."
Though they all graduate together they will be working in several different Maryland prison systems.
The course used to take only 26 days, but it's been extended to 35 to better prepare future correctional officers for the things they may face in today's prisons. It also includes more defense training. This graduating class was the first of many to be put through this extensive course.
"I think it's a benefit for the safety of the institution, the safety of the inmates involved and you know our priorities are safety of the public, safety of the staff and safety of the inmates. With staff being capable of performing their duties in a very positive fashion I think it's a very good thing," says Wayne Webb.
"Our screening process prior to this was a lot less stringent," says Captain Hill. "Anybody could pretty much get hired based on your background and things like that and now you come in our academy, we will dismiss you if you're not going to be able to do any of these techniques because obviously we want you to be able to defend yourself and other employees while you're working in the institutional environment."
Though they all graduate together they will be working in several different Maryland prison systems.
