The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) in Honolulu celebrated the graduation of its first class of adult corrections officers at the Mission Memorial Auditorium. The thirty graduates from Basic Corrections Recruit Class (BCRC) 24-01 completed their training and are set to begin their careers as Adult Corrections Officers in facilities across the state.
DCR Director Tommy Johnson expressed his pride in the new officers, stating, “This initial Basic Corrections Recruit Class graduation for DCR represents a new generation of Corrections Officers and hopefully, future leaders of the department. I am both honored and very humbled to lead the DCR forward with such an outstanding group of employees, as we complete the required paradigm shift needed to reshape our unified correctional system for better outcomes and safer communities.”
Deputy Director for Correctional Institutions Pamela Sturz highlighted the importance of the corrections officer role, saying, “Being a corrections officer is a noble profession which provides an awesome opportunity to make a positive impact on another person’s life trajectory. The people in our custody and care deserve opportunities to change and better themselves, which in turn improves their family unit and our community.”
The BCRC training program is an intensive eight-week course covering over 300 hours of instruction in various subjects such as ethics, professionalism, crisis intervention, and self-defense tactics. The aim is to prepare the recruits for their roles in maintaining security and providing rehabilitative services in correctional facilities.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's mission is focused on providing a secure correctional environment and comprehensive rehabilitative services to individuals in their custody, with the goal of reducing recidivism and enhancing community safety.
The thirty graduates have been assigned to different facilities across the state, including Hālawa Correctional Facility, Kūlani Correctional Facility, Women’s Community Correctional Center, Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center, Kauaʻi Community Correctional Center, Maui Community Correctional Center, and Oʻahu Community Correctional Center.