The first class of graduates from a career readiness program aimed at increasing Alabama’s number of correctional officers was recognized on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Jefferson State.
A total of 11 new ACTIVATE graduates were greeted by Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner (ADOC) John Q. Hamm and other state officials at Lurleen Wallace Hall on the college’s Jefferson Campus.
“It’s exciting because correctional officer staffing has been our main issue,” Hamm said. “To see the partnership we have with the community college system and putting this program together to prepare these men and women to actually attend the corrections academy and be successful, it’s extremely important. ACTIVATE is a critical piece in our recruitment and retention efforts. These graduates now have a clear path forward with the ADOC, and we are grateful to the ACCS for their invaluable partnership in making this initiative possible.”
ACTIVATE is a joint initiative between ADOC and the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) that offers a no-cost pathway to a career as a correctional officer, helping individuals who may face physical or educational barriers meet the standards necessary to join the profession. The program is part of ADOC’s larger recruitment efforts, which have been bolstered by competitive starting salaries for correctional officers, currently ranging from $52,761.60 to $58,111.20 annually. Officers also have the potential to receive approximately 30 percent in salary increases within their first 24 months of service.
David Walters, Vice Chancellor of Adult Education/Special Projects and System Initiatives with ACCS, said pilot programs were held at Jefferson State and Reid State Technical College, and plans are for ACTIVATE to expand throughout the state.
“In the state of Alabama, we need more skilled, qualified correctional officers, so Commissioner Hamm and myself got together—the Alabama Community College system and the Alabama Department of Corrections—to develop a pathway that would help getting individuals who are currently employed as security officers to becoming correctional officers. This is a program we’re very proud of.”
Classes at Jefferson State were led by Dr. Robert Bland, Criminal Justice Program Coordinator, among others.
The six-week ACTIVATE program was made available to residents through funding from the Alabama Legislature. Along with the class at Reid State, a total of 23 residents completed the program and are now eligible to enroll in the ADOC’s Corrections Academy, joining the Officer Class 2024-04 that begins Sept. 30.
ACCS Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker emphasized the system’s commitment to creating opportunities for Alabama residents.
“As we continue to make life better by helping citizens reach their goals, ACTIVATE demonstrates how partnerships are integral to our system’s success,” he said.
In addition to ACTIVATE, the ACCS offers a variety of no-cost public safety training programs for law enforcement officers across Alabama. ACCS Chief Safety and Security Officer Mark Bailey said more than 2,500 officers have already benefited from these programs, which include training in crime scene investigation, evidence collection, crisis negotiation, and more.
“Law enforcement goes beyond enforcing the law. It’s about building trust and ensuring safety in our communities,” he said.
“Through our 24 community colleges, we are well-positioned to provide convenient, high-quality training to law enforcement officers statewide.”
For more information about the ACTIVATE program, visit: www.doc.alabama.gov/employment.
For more information about free public safety training programs, visit: www.accs.edu/publicsafety.
