Certificate

Corrections Certificate

Overview

The criminal justice system is comprised of three components: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. The Corrections certificate prepares the student for entry-level positions in the correctional field. It also provides a foundation for the Associate in Science – Criminal Justice program. The certificate is designed to be completed in 3 semesters with the cooperative work experience in the final semester after the completion of all other required courses.

As a prerequisite for placement in a corrections setting, the student must pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI) check. Please refer to the CORI/SORI policy statement.

Career Outlook

This occupational profile is provided by O*NET.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Corrections certificate, students are able to:

• Identify, evaluate and utilize effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication for the correctional setting.
• Apply ethical principles in the correctional setting.
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of diversity as it applies to various populations in the corrrectional setting.
• Identify correctional problems and develop appropriate solutions.
• Identify and explain correctional legal issues.
• Recognize crisis situations in a correctional setting.
• Identify effective solutions to crisis situations in a correctional setting.
• Discuss the important role of counseling referral for inmate populations including those with addiction and mental health issues.
• Explain the interrelationship among the major components of the criminal justice system.

Corrections Certificate Technical Standards

In order to be eligible for and successfully complete the Corrections Certificate Program, certain physical and behavioral standards are required as part of the program and cooperative work experience. These technical standards have been developed using the U.S. Department of Labor's skills and abilities for those working in a corrections setting. Some cooperative work experience opportunities may have additional requirements beyond the technical standards listed here and requirements may vary by agency. Students must satisfy the program’s technical standards and the individual agency requirements before a co-op assignment is approved. The Barnstable County Sheriff's Office provides details for the Physical Fitness Guidelines and Fitness for Duty.

The following technical standards are established in accordance with the Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act. All students must be able to satisfy these standards with or without a reasonable accommodation. These include:

Communication

1. Communicate effectively in standard American English in both oral and written form.
2. Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
3. Understand oral directions, requests, voice pages and telephone messages stated in a normal tone.

Auditory Ability

1. Ability to hear sounds at a normal volume, including alarm sounds on technical and supportive equipment.
2. Listen and respond to distress sounds.
3. Auditory attention – the ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

Visual Ability

1. Near Vision – The ability to see details at close range.
2. Far Vision – The ability to see details at a distance.

Skills

1. Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
2. Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
3. Task Management – Prioritize and manage tasks simultaneously.
4. Complex Problem Solving – Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Physical Abilities

1. Strength – The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
2. Stamina – The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
3. Gross Body Coordination – The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
4. Manual Dexterity – The ability to quickly move your hands, your hands together with your arms, or your hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
5. Performing General Physical Activities – The ability to perform physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body. This includes, but is not limited to: standing, sitting, climbing, balancing, walking, running, pushing, pulling, twisting, stooping, handling of materials, and lifting.
6. Ability to effectively and safely use professional tools and equipment, including but not limited to: radio communications, body duress alarm, use of restraints, metal detectors, security wands, cell watch system, use of computers and security cameras.
7. Walk/stand for extended periods and distances over an 8-hour period.

Behavioral/Mental Performance

1. Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations.
2. Exhibit social skills necessary to interact effectively in a correctional setting.
3. Display ethical attitudes and actions consistent with professional behavior in the classroom and correctional setting.
4. Maintain personal hygiene consistent with department dress code guidelines.
5. Remain free from alcohol and/or chemical impairment in classroom and correctional setting at all times.
6. Ability to defuse confrontational situations.
7. Ability to think critically, exercise good judgement and make decision under stressful circumstances.
8. Prioritize and manage tasks simultaneously.
9. Display the social skills empathy, politeness, tact and sensitivity to others in all settings.
10. Exhibit respect for cultural and ethnic differences of clients, peers and individuals in classroom and correctional setting.

Additional information pertaining to Corrections Officer requirements and physical fitness testing is available through the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office.