The Correctional Worker Core (CORE) curriculum is a foundational set of courses that introduce new corrections officers (CO), and those who work in prison facilities, to the knowledge, skills, and basic work functions that are at the core of corrections. Practical skills application and testing is conducted via skills clinics and class quizzes throughout the course. It is based on performance standards that are specific to achieving the department mission, including individual, teamwork, and organizational competencies.
The work of a corrections officer, and the required training can be physically demanding at times. See Physical Training & Control Tactics Descriptions for a description of the training you'll receive and the associated requirements.
Correctional Worker Core Academy Courses and Lesson Topics Include
- Addressing Behavior
- Agency Values
- Cell and Area Searches
- Communication Skills
- Control and Impedance Tactics
- Counts
- DOC Overview
- Drug and Alcohol Testing
- Emergency Response Procedures
- Escorts
- Foundations of Behavior
- Gender and Age
- Hostage Survival
- Inspections and Inventories
- Interacting with Incarcerated Workers
- Proper Use of Force
- Restraints
- Stress and Resilience
- Legal Foundations of Corrections
- Mental Health in our facilities
- DOC Mission, Vision and Values
- Tactical Verbal Skills (Verbal De-escalation)
- Team Tactics
- Oleoresin Capsicum
- Pat and Strip Searches
- Perspective on Prison Culture
- Physical Plant Safety
- Principles of Containment
- Prison Discipline
- Prison Property
- Radio and Equipment Operations
- Report Writing
- Resolution Program
- Respect in a Diverse Workplace
- Rights of Incarcerated Individuals
- Searches and Contraband
- Security Information Sharing
- Security Mindset
- Security Threat Groups
- Self Defense
- Sex Offender Treatment and Assessment Program
- Staff Professionalism
- Suicide Prevention and Intervention
- Transports and Vehicle Searches
- Use of Force Report Writing