The final Information Session for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections’ spring Correctional Officer recruitment period will be held on Friday, May 4, from 6 – 8 p.m. Interested individuals should pre-register by calling the Training Academy at (401) 462-2697 no later than Wednesday, May 2.
The 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
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.
To date, the Training Academy has received 1,640 applications during this recruitment period, which began on April 1. Of those, 54% have self reported as being members of minority groups; 54% of those as women.
Those who are selected for the nine-week Training Academy, which will take place from Tuesday, October 9, through Friday, December 7, 2007, 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.