May 1, 2022
National Correctional Officers Week – Capacity for Compassion
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan announced the first week in May as National Correctional Officer and Employee Appreciation Week. The job duties of a correctional officer entail overseeing inmates to ensure they are safe, secure, and supervised. This can manifest in law enforcement, security, and even janitorial tasks. Whether the officers are cleaning up spills or de-escalating tense situations, we’re grateful for their service.
A Daunting Task
Back in 1871, prison staff was minimal. At the time, for example, the Colorado Territorial Prison employed just one warden and six guards who were known as ‘turnkeys,’ since their jobs were primarily locking and unlocking the prisoners’ cells. This position paid about $25 per month and required no education or physical competency.
In 2021 the United States had a prison population of 1.8 million people. There are about 400,000 correctional officers who work to watch over all of those who are incarcerated. With laws and prison systems constantly evolving across America, one thing is for certain – the importance of these officers will remain.
The impact of this job around the facilities can be seen for years to come. Their job is both mentally and physically demanding on a day-to-day basis and how they react to each of their duties is substantive. The way they go about their job is so critical because they can directly and indirectly make a difference in each of the inmates’ lives. Training has become a critical component to ensuring a professional workforce.
MdE has worked with Public Safety for over 20 years. We provide software and services for tracking training and performance which can aid in early intervention. If you or someone you know is interested in more information, contact us at MdE@MdE-Inc.com or call 877-500-5396.
