Satellite Training Academy Jan. 3 class photo
MCALESTER, Okla. -- The Oklahoma Department of Corrections commissioned 25 new correctional security officers during its academy graduation Wednesday at The King’s House.
The new officers join the more than 1,800 correctional security officers who staff the 24 ODOC facilities in communities across the state.
These officers participated in a six-week-long training course at the Satellite Training Academy at Oklahoma State Penitentiary. The curriculum includes classroom instruction, physical fitness and self-defense classes.
“Our correctional officers have one of the toughest jobs imaginable,” said Joe M. Allbaugh, Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director. “They put their lives on the line every day to protect the public in some of the most difficult conditions.
“These new officers have a lot of hard work ahead of them,” Allbaugh said. “They go forward today with the best training we can provide to help them protect the public, take care of their fellow correctional officers, and look after our inmates.”
Wednesday’s class is the first of 2018. Despite ODOC commissioning 509 new officers in 2017, the department ended the year about 29 percent understaffed.
The department will commission more new officers from the Wilson Training Academy Jan. 22 at a ceremony in Healdton, Oklahoma.
ODOC has two cadet training academies, the Wilson Training Academy and Satellite Training Academy. Both academies follow the same curriculum. More information can be found on the ODOC’s website at http://doc.ok.gov.
ODOC's Satellite Training Academy Jan. 3 class listening to Eddie Warrior Correctional
Center's warden, Sharon McCoy, during the graduation ceremony at The King's House in McAlester.
