Correctional Officers

I always say I work at the MD Police Training Commission.  However, that is only partially true, the full name of my workplace is the MD Police and Correctional Training Commission.

Until recently I hardly ever worked with correctional officers, with the exception of a few instructors training and specialized classes, I have never trained their recruits, or ran any correctional-centered courses.  But that is all about to change.  As of the last month the commission, which I work for, has taken over the DT training for the academy level correctional recruits which was ran by another entity until now.  This means that now they fall under my authority.

This is both exciting and a major headache at the same time.  You must understand, on the state level (so we are excluding regional correctional centers and academies) the people who apply are not the highest human material.  It is unfortunate, but many are illiterate, old, suffer from medical issues, and may even have criminal history themselves.  Sad but true.  Many get into the profession because it is a steady job with benefits, which in this day and age goes a long way.  And the reality, with the extreme shortage of bodies, many can make a lot of money merely by picking up overtime hours.

But this is my concern: assume a fight breaks up, which is an every day occurrence at any correctional institution, or a fire erupts, and it is the responsibility of these officers to run, provide life supporting actions, fight if needs be, and provide back-up for fellow officers.  Many not only will not be able to do it, but may become a liability and a risk in true incidents.

The state's academy is 5 weeks long. 5 WEEKS!  That's it.  At the end of which we are to assume these individuals can maintain the order at a jail.  It is no surprise that many correctional officers get injured on the job, and many quit within the first year.  They are just not prepared for the tasks.

Recently I was asked what I would change in this system.  My reply was a complete overhaul, from better employment practices, stricter medical screening and background checks, to more intense physical component at the academy, including PT classes and Defensive Tactics which are strenuous, stressful, and challenging.  Just like their job will be.

But the state needs bodies.  That is the bottom line.  If we make stuff harder who will apply, and worse yet, who will be able to complete the academy?  Not the 350 pounds female who can't even go up a flight of stairs without feeling like she would have a heart attack...which she very likely will.

So, as I  am writing this I wish we had a similar system to LA County Sheriff Office, where each recruit, upon completing a full police academy serves the first two years in the jails before going on the street.  Can you imagine the experience and knowledge they get by dealing with the criminal element on a daily basis?  The reality of the job?  And the jails have such better personnel working it than just big fat lazy bums!

I doubt I will be able to change anything, it's just the nature of the beast.  And I truly do have the highest respect to any correctional officer I know.  They deal with the slime every single day.  It should be their best interest to have the best people and the best training on their side.  Unfortunately, it will most likely take some sort of severe tragedy before any real changes are made.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/