Prison Officer - Training

Training

Prison officer training will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction as well as facility to facility depending on the legislated power given, the nature of the facilities, or even the socioeconomics of the region. Training may be provided by external agencies or at the facility with a peer-group or supervisor instructor.

In North America, standard training usually includes:

• Use of force and restraints (i.e., handcuffs, leg-irons, belly-chain, etc.)
• Weapons (firearms, pepper spray, batons etc.)
• Self-defense
• First aid and CPR
• Report writing
• Giving testimony in court
• Diffusion of hostility
• Criminal Law
• Case work and criminal investigations

Many jurisdictions have also, in recent years, expanded basic training to include:

• Suicide awareness and prevention
• Critical incident stress management
• Occupational Safety and Health Act (U.S.) or Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (Canada)
• Gang awareness and intervention
• Crisis or hostage negotiation