Department of Corrections: Correctional Officers' Training pg2

Training Description

Legal Aspects of Corrections This course examines the constitutional rights of inmates and employees. Employees discuss the differences between rights and privileges, the types of lawsuits filed against the agency and/or staff, and defenses for certain types of lawsuits.

Report Writing This course provides instruction and practice in preparing various reports, letters, and memoranda. Employees review the basic principles of good writing and techniques for brief, clear, and informative writing that meets the needs and interest of the reader.

Preventing Sexual Misconduct Against Inmates Employees discuss the intent of DOC's policy on preventing sexual misconduct against inmates and the definition of sexual misconduct as defined in the DC Code. Attendees examine cases to determine if DOC staff took appropriate steps in responding to and reporting the incidents or complaints. Attendees learn the role each employee has in maintaining professional boundaries.

Sexual Harassment This course examines the agency's policy prohibiting sexual harassment and procedures for filing, investigating, and adjudicating allegations of sexual harassment.

Security Controls This course focuses on policy updates in security controls. Employees review and discuss policy regarding inmate counts, search procedures, weapons control, contraband, escort duty, and restraints.

Stress Management This course addresses sources of and strategies for dealing with stress in a correctional environment including physical, mental, and emotional stress.

Suicide Prevention This course outlines the dynamics of suicidal behavior, and sets forth procedures for intervening with suicidal inmates. Employees examine the definition of suicide, characteristics of a suicidal act, symptoms of suicidal behavior, and the factors used in determining high or low risk suicidal inmates.

Telephone-based Customer Service This course offers instruction on providing customer service. The goal is to ensure that DC Department of Corrections employees learn to provide a courteous and professional level of telephone-based customer service. Employees gain an in depth understanding of their responsibilities, become proficient in executing procedures, and learn to evaluate service delivery systems from a customer perspective.