Correctional officers undergoing training at a Massachusetts facility.
The Massachusetts Department of Correction has lowered the minimum age requirement for correction officers from 21 to 19 in an effort to address workforce shortages and safety concerns. The decision is partly influenced by a recent financial settlement linked to a violent incident in a maximum-security prison. Under the new policy, younger recruits will not handle firearms and must meet various eligibility criteria. Governor Healey and DOC Commissioner Jenkins express hope that this change will attract skilled workers while the union emphasizes the need for improved safety measures.
Worcester, Massachusetts – The Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) has announced a significant change to its hiring policy by lowering the minimum age requirement for correction officers from 21 to 19 years old. This decision aims to enhance recruitment efforts and address a workforce shortage in the correctional facilities, which has become increasingly critical amid growing safety concerns and recent incidents of violence.
The policy change comes on the heels of a recent financial settlement exceeding $6 million reached between the DOC and inmates involved in a violent altercation at the maximum-security Souza-Baranowski prison in January 2020. Under the new hiring policy, individuals under 21 will not be assigned to firearm-related posts or duties. However, they must still meet the eligibility criteria to obtain a license to carry a firearm.
To qualify as correction officer applicants, individuals must meet several requirements, including being a high school graduate, having an equivalent certificate, or having served at least three years in the Armed Forces. Successful candidates will undergo a comprehensive screening process, followed by a 12-week training program designed to familiarize them with correctional facility operations and provide mentorship from experienced professionals.
Governor Maura Healey expressed optimism that reducing the minimum age for correction officers will help attract dedicated and skilled workers, ultimately contributing to public safety and rehabilitation efforts within Massachusetts correctional institutions. DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins reinforced this sentiment by stating the importance of collaboration with the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union (MCOFU) to bolster staffing levels in correctional facilities.
In distinct contrast to the hiring policy changes, the MCOFU has criticized the DOC regarding the financial settlement, arguing that it fails to adequately address the pressing safety concerns within the Souza-Baranowski prison. The recent $6 million settlement follows a class-action lawsuit initiated by Prisoners’ Legal Services after a violent incident where approximately 20 inmates assaulted correction officers, leaving four officers with serious injuries. The violent episode led to a lockdown at Souza-Baranowski that lasted for most of the month after the incident occurred.
Out of the 20 inmates involved in the assault, 16 faced criminal charges and were subsequently transferred to different correctional institutions. The settlement, which will be shared among approximately 150 plaintiffs, includes several proposed policy changes at Souza-Baranowski, pending court approval. These include the establishment of an anonymous tipline for employees to report misconduct, the removal of staff members with sustained complaints of excessive force from the Special Operations Response Unit (SORT) for a minimum of three years, and a mandate for SORT members to wear clearly visible nametags.
The DOC has also undertaken several proactive measures aimed at improving safety, such as implementing a body-worn camera program and updating use-of-force regulations. According to DOC statistics, over 55% of the 156 correction officers injured across Massachusetts in the first seven months of the year were injured at the Souza-Baranowski facility. Additionally, nearly 80% of the 53 reported drug exposures among officers occurred at this facility, underlining the urgent need for improved safety protocols.
Massachusetts’ commitment to correctional spending is notable, as it boasts the highest per-prisoner spending in the nation at an average of $307,468, despite having the lowest incarceration rate. However, the MCOFU continues to call for improved safety measures to protect not only correctional officers but also inmates and the broader DOC workforce. The union asserts that regardless of the settlement, officers at Souza-Baranowski remain exposed to dangerous working conditions, necessitating immediate attention to address these ongoing safety issues.
As the Massachusetts DOC embarks on this new hiring initiative, it faces the dual challenge of boosting staffing levels while ensuring the safety and well-being of both correction officers and inmates within its facilities.
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