Health Training for Correctional Officers

Home Standards Q&A Health Training for Correctional Officers

I noticed a discrepancy in the 2018 standards. A compliance indicator for Standard C-04 Health Training for Correctional Officers states, “Correctional officers who work with inmates receive health-related training at least every 2 years,” including procedures for suicide prevention. But the discussion section for Standard B-05 Suicide Prevention and Intervention states, “All staff members who work with inmates are trained to recognize verbal and behavioral cues that indicate potential suicide ... Initial and at least annual training is provided.” What is the expectation – annually or at least every 2 years?

The answer to your question is “at least every two years,” as stated in the compliance indicators for Standard C-04. The standards and compliance indicators are measurable items that are scored during accreditation surveys, while items in the discussion section are not scored but are intended to help clarify the standard’s intent. Thank you for pointing out this discrepancy; we will be sure to amend it during our next standards update.

— From CorrectCare Volume 34, Issue 3, Summer 2020

Recently we have discussed changing our training program for correctional officers to “hands-only” CPR. We have a large jail with around-the-clock medical staff coverage. Would we still meet the standard if we trained correctional officers to only perform chest compressions until medical staff arrives?

The standard in question is C-04 Health Training for Correctional Officers, which requires that correctional officers who work with inmates receive health-related training at least every two years. One element of the training is cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The standards do not give specific guidance on which type of CPR is required (e.g., professional rescuer, community or hands-only). As long as the course you propose using is from a recognized national body such as the American Red Cross or American Heart Association, then it would meet the intent of the standard. [See this Spotlight on the Standards article for more discussion about standard C-04.]

— From CorrectCare Volume 27, Issue 3, Summer 2013

Health Training for Correctional Officers

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