County Commissioner Jonathan Young celebrated the graduation of 23 new corrections officers at the Camden County College Blackwood campus on July 8.
The officers – from the 122nd Basic Correctional Police Officer Recruit Class – will begin their careers in correctional facilities across Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Mercer and Salem counties after rigorous training at the college’s Police Academy for Corrections.
“Being a corrections officer is one of the most important and thankless jobs there is,” said Young, who is the liaison to the county corrections department. “These individuals have decided to serve their communities by entering this career field, and that deserves to be honored and celebrated.”
The ceremony brought together family members, academy instructors and law-enforcement officials to recognize the commitment and resilience demonstrated by the graduates during training. After academy challenges that ranged from mental and physical endurance to mastering complex correctional procedures, the class now joins the ranks of essential public safety professionals at a time when correctional institutions face evolving demands.
Among them statewide and nationally are staff shortages; overcrowding; abuse; and other violence and deteriorating conditions, according to the Stateline website. Former president Joe Biden last year signed a law creating an independent ombudsman to investigate complaints from the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ 122 facilities. The law also mandates inspections of all federal facilities.
The Police Academy for Corrections provides one of the most comprehensive basic training programs in the region, preparing recruits with the knowledge and skills required for a demanding and often overlooked profession.
Young praised the recruits for choosing a path of public service and pledged continued support for correctional officers across the county.
“Their work is critical to maintaining safety, order and rehabilitation inside our facilities,” he noted. “We thank them for stepping up to this vital role.”
As the ceremony concluded, the graduates received their badges and took the Correctional Police Officer’s Oath to begin their careers.
