CRANSTON, R.I. – The kickoff for the recruitment period for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections’ next CO Training Academy will take place on Monday, April 9, at 10 a.m. in the Atrium of the Department of Administration building at One Capitol Hill, Providence. Cheryl Burrell, State Diversity Administrator with the Human Resources Outreach & Diverse Office, will emcee the event. Corrections Director A.T. Wall II, the Honorable Representative Joseph Almeida, and the Honorable Senator Juan Pichardo will deliver brief remarks. Representatives of partner agencies in the recruiting effort, including the Department of Labor and Training, the NAACP Providence Branch, the NAACP Newport County Branch, the Narragansett Indian Tribe, Progresso Latino, Rhode Island Affirmative Action Professionals, Rhode Island Young Professionals, the Socio-Economic Development Center for Southeast Asians, and the Urban League of Rhode Island have been invited to the kickoff event, which is open to the press and members of the public.
While the kickoff takes place on April 9th, applications for the Academy have been accepted since April 1st and will continue to be accepted through May 11th.
Two-hour CO Training Academy information sessions will be conducted on: Thursday, April 12, 4-6 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 4-6 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. – noon Monday, April 23, 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 4, 6-8 p.m.
These information sessions will discuss the following: The Mission of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections Corrections philosophy Correctional Officer duties The application process, including the new physical fitness test Examinations
Interested individuals should pre-register by calling the Training Academy at (401) 462-2697 at least two days prior to the session they wish to attend.
Men and women interested in applying for a spot in the Training Academy for Class 76 can fill out an application on line at www.netWORKri.org or www.doc.ri.gov. Applications may also be obtained by calling the Training Academy at 401-462-JOBS. The dates for the Academy are Tuesday, October 9, through Friday, December 7, 2007. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, possess a valid photo ID, have a Social Security card or alien registration card, be a high school graduate or have a GED, be capable of speaking and writing in English, and have Rhode Island residency within six months of appointment.
The application process includes a written examination, BCI/NCIC, a physical fitness test, a background investigation, an appointment with the Director’s Interview Board, a psychological assessment, and a medical screening.
Those who are selected for the nine-week Training Academy will receive a weekly stipend of $500. The paramilitary training will include instruction on the following: security procedures, supervision of inmates, suicide signs/precautions, use of force, report writing, inmate rules and regulations, inmate rights, fire and emergency procedures, safety procedures, firearms training, defensive tactics, CPR/First-aid certification, baton certification, physical training, O.C. certification, key and tool control, communication skills, inmate lifestyles, and stress management.
Correctional Officer duties include the supervision, custody, and control of adult inmates incarcerated at the Adult Correctional Facilities in Cranston. The starting salary is $32,831, and benefits include group health and life insurance, paid vacation and personal leave, step pay increases, and college incentive pay.
The Department received over 2,000 applications for the fall 2006 Training Academy. Of those, 971 showed up to take the two-part written examination, and 482 passed. The top 200 of those were interviewed. Eighty people entered the Training Academy in October, and 69 graduated in December. The diverse group of graduates represented the largest class of women to date with 25% females and 28% minorities.
For further information about the Training Academy or the Department of Corrections, please visit www.doc.ri.gov.