In keeping with the mandate of the new Correctional Bill 2014, seven female correctional officers of The Bahamas Department of Correctional Services departed The Bahamas on Saturday for two weeks of intensive training at the Orange County Corrections Department, in Orlando Florida.

The Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) and the Orange County Corrections Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, establishing the ‘Work Study Training for Female Correctional Officers.’

The training period is August 23 to September 4, 2015.

The correctional officers are expected to undergo intense training in Communication Skills, Emergency Procedures, Security Functions, Officer Safety, Housing Unit Functions, and Classification, in addition to working day and night shifts.
Orange County Corrections Department is known for its 21st century best practices with respect to inmates’ Reformation, Rehabilitation and Re-entry Programs. Also, it is considered one of the highest-rated facilities (third) in the United States.

Upon completion of their training and work study, the correctional officers will be the first female officers to commence duties in the Medium and Minimum Security Housing Units. The group is expected to return to The Bahamas on September 6, 2015.