CRANSTON, R.I. – December 20, 2006 – Graduation ceremonies for the Rhode Island Department of Correction’s Correctional Officer Training Academy Class 75 will take place on Friday, December 22, at 2 p.m. at Rhode Island College’s Sapinsley Hall, in the Nazarian Center for Performing Arts. Of the 80 men and women who began the Academy’s rigorous nine-week schedule on Monday, October 23, 2006, 69 will receive certificates of completion at the ceremony. The graduates represent the largest class of women to date, with 25% females (52 males and 17 females) and 28% minorities.
During the arduous nine-week schedule, participants underwent CPR certification, weapons qualification, classroom time for topics such as the law as it relates to Correctional Officers and communications skills, and weekly exams. The Sunday following graduation, the new class of Correctional Officers will begin by shadowing more senior officers for a two-week period.