Massachusetts Department of Correction celebrates graduation of 300th class of Recruits

Milford (April 27, 2007)--The Massachusetts Department of Correction celebrated the graduation of its 300 ^th class of Recruits on April 27, 2007 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. The 300 ^th graduating class had 128 corrections professionals, including 104 Correction Officers, 19 Correction Program Officers and five Industrial Instructors. Their achievements were recognized by Mass. Department of Correction Commissioner Kathleen M. Dennehy, who administered the oath of office. James Alan Fox, PhD, Lipman Family Professor of Criminal Justice, Northeastern University, gave the keynote address. William Dupre, Director of Staff Development, and Recruit Training Class President Timothy Gonsalves were among the speakers.

The first class graduated in September 1956 with 20. It is estimated that 12,000 recruits have graduated since then. There have been significant improvements in the recruit training curriculum since 1956. The correction officer graduates complete a rigorous ten-week training program, with classes at the Shirley Training Academy and on-the-job training at correctional facilities. The graduates receive training in skills including emergency response procedures, ethics and professionalism, and the inmate management system. Upon graduation, all begin immediate assignments in the correctional facilities.

The Mass. Department of Correction Division of Staff Development has been honored by the International Association of Correctional Training Personnel with its Innovative Approaches Award for its ground-breaking curriculum reflecting reality and performance based training. The program is accredited for 22 college credits.

The April 27th graduation brings a total of 15 classes of recruits to graduate over the last three years, for a total of 831 new corrections professionals to the Department.

The Mass. Department of Correction employs approximately 5,000 staff and houses over 10,993 inmates in 18 facilities, ranging from pre-release to maximum security.

###