103 CMR 915.03
Orientation and Training Requirements
Written policy and procedure shall provide that all new correctional officer personnel
receive 160 hours of orientation and training during their first year of employment; 40 of these
hours shall be completed prior to an officer being independently assigned to a particular post.
At a minimum, this training shall cover the following areas:
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(a) security and search procedures;
(b) use of force regulations and tactics;
(c) supervision of inmates;
(d) report writing;
(e) inmate and staff rules and regulations;
(f) rights and responsibilities of inmates;
(g) emergency procedures;
(h) interpersonal relations;
(i) social/cultural life styles of the inmate population;
(j) communication skills;
(k) first aid and CPR;
(l) key control;
(m) firearms training;
(n) PREA;
(o) ADA; and
(p) suicide prevention.
All correction officers shall be given an additional 40 hours of training each year thereafter.
Written policy and procedure shall provide that the county correctional facility's
administrative and managerial staff receive at least 40 hours of orientation if they are new to the
facility and at least 24 hours of management training each year thereafter, which shall include,
but not be limited to, the following areas:
(a) general management and related subjects;
(b) decision-making processes;
(c) labor law;
(d) employee-management relations;
(e) the interaction of elements of the criminal justice system; and,
(f) relationships with other service agencies.
(3) Written policy and procedure shall provide that all new support employees who have direct
inmate contact receive 80 hours of orientation and training during their first year of employment.
Of these hours, 40 shall be completed prior to being independently assigned to a particular job.
Support employees shall receive an additional 40 hours of training during each subsequent year
of employment. At a minimum, this training shall cover the following areas:
(a) security procedures and regulations;
(b) rights and responsibilities of inmates;
(c) emergency procedures;
(d) interpersonal relations;
(e) communication skills;
(f) first aid and CPR;
(g) PREA;
(h) ADA; and
(i) suicide prevention.
(4) Written policy and procedure shall provide that all new clerical/support employees who
have minimal inmate contact; receive 40 hours of orientation and training during their first year
of employment; 24 of these hours shall be completed prior to being independently assigned to
a particular job. All clerical/support employees shall be given an additional 16 hours of training
during each subsequent year of employment.
(5) When a county correctional facility maintains an emergency response unit, written policy
and procedure shall provide that all assigned personnel have appropriate experience and receive
40 hours of relevant training prior to assignment, and at least 16 of the 40 hours of annual
training be specifically related to emergency unit assignments.
(6) All personnel authorized to use firearms shall receive appropriate firearm training. This
training shall cover the use, safety, care, and constraints in the use of firearms. All authorized
personnel shall be required to demonstrate competency on at least an annual basis.
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(7) All personnel authorized to use chemical agents shall be thoroughly trained in their use and
the treatment of individuals exposed to the chemical agent from a qualified instructor at least
every two years.
(8) All security personnel shall be trained in approved methods of defensive tactics and the use
of force to control inmates.
(9) All part-time staff, consultants, and contractual personnel shall receive formal orientation
appropriate to their assignments, and shall agree in writing to abide by all facility policies and
procedures, particularly those relating to security, and the confidentiality of information.