Massachusetts Department of Correction celebrates graduation of 311th Class of Recruits
Milford, MA (August 23, 2012)--The Massachusetts Department of Correction celebrated the graduation of its 311th recruit class on August 23, 2012 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. The 311th graduating class had 90 corrections professionals, including 67 Correction Officers, 10 Correction Program Officers, five Recreation Officers and eight Industrial Instructors. Their achievements were recognized by DOC Commissioner Luis S. Spencer, who administered the oath of office. Secretary Mary Elizabeth Heffernan, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, addressed the graduates and introduced Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, who gave the keynote speech. Criminal Justice Undersecretary Sandra McCroom, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security; Bruce Cuscovitch, DOC Deputy Director of Staff Development; and Recruit Training Class President Correction Officer Frederick Sleeper, Jr. were among the speakers.
The 90 member class has completed a 12 week recruit training program structured to balance contemporary instructional strategies and traditional military drill protocols to prepare recruits to successfully work in correctional institutions. Correction officer graduates completed classes at the Shirley Training Academy and received on-the-job training at various correctional facilities. Immediately upon graduation, all will begin permanent 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.
Over the last seven years, 26 classes of recruits have graduated adding over 2,281 new correction professionals to the Department.
The Mass. Department of Correction employs approximately 5,000 and houses over 11,500 inmates in 18 facilities, ranging from pre-release to maximum security.