139 New Correctional Officers Graduate Academy In NJ

New Jersey’s state prisons are about to get a new wave of correctional officers.

The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) gave a round of applause for 139 graduates of its training academy on Tuesday. They were welcomed into the department’s ranks of correctional police officers during a graduation ceremony in Trenton.

The new class of officers joins the state’s largest law enforcement agency, where more than 4,300 custody staff members are responsible for the protection of more than 12,000 incarcerated people in nine facilities throughout New Jersey.

During their Academy Training, the officers completed 17 weeks of intensive academic study and physical fitness training, along with two weeks of immersive, on-the-job training in NJDOC facilities across the state. Coursework included instruction in firearms training and safety, defensive tactics, conflict resolution and de-escalation, criminal law, gender- and trauma-informed policing, emergency medical care, and more than 50 physical training sessions.

The new class of officers includes 126 men and 13 women. Twenty graduates have earned academic degrees, seven have military service backgrounds, and 67 come from families with a “tradition of law enforcement service,” officials said.

As of July 1, starting salaries for NJDOC correctional police officers begin at approximately $53,200 upon graduation from the academy. Under a new contract, salaries for senior correctional police officers now range from $73,100 up to $118,900 annually.

“The 139 men and women in Class 258 exemplify the key characteristics of a New Jersey correctional police officer: discipline, dedication and determination,” Gov. Phil Murphy said.

“As they embark on this new phase of their career, I commend them for their commitment to those in our incarcerated community – ensuring that they are provided a safe and stable environment to successfully rehabilitate their lives,” Murphy added.

• See Related: Dozens Of 'Freedom Libraries' Built At 2 State Prisons In New Jersey

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