National Correctional Officers Week is an annual event held to recognize the hard work and dedication of correctional officers and other jail and prison staff. This week serves as an opportunity to honor the brave men and women who work in jails, prisons, and other correctional facilities across the country. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of these individuals in upholding law and order within our communities. National Correctional Officers Week is a time to celebrate the courage, professionalism, and commitment of correctional officers, jailers, wardens, law enforcement personnel, probation officers, parole officers, community corrections staff members, court security personnel and all others who serve in this noble profession. The week was first proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1963 to recognize the important work of correctional officers, who are often the front line of defense against crime and violence. Officer safety is critical to public safety and national security.
Correctional officers must use their training, experience, knowledge and strength to protect themselves during a dangerous encounter with an inmate or offender. They provide for their own protection by wearing appropriate protective clothing and equipment; conducting searches for weapons; maintaining proper situational awareness of inmates’ activities throughout their facility; developing rapport with inmates through communication techniques such as talking, negotiating or listening; exercising restraint with an inmate in the interest of protecting themselves and others; and using appropriate force when necessary in order to maintain control.“Contraband will be confiscated from inmates or turned over to staff; contraband that has been confiscated will be stored properly, labeled, and tracked for return to the inmate by prison staff.“
The definition of contraband is intentionally hidden inside a container such as a shoebox or shoe within the institution. Inmates can also bring these items into prison without detection. It includes: drugs (including marijuana), weapons, tobacco products, blades including box cutters and scissors, and anything else that might be used to harm or threaten the safety of another person. It includes: drugs (including marijuana), weapons, tobacco products, blades including box cutters and scissors, and anything else that might be used to harm or threaten the safety of another person Examples: a pocket knife; pepper spray; guns like pistols and shotguns.
