copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2024-01-08): Correctional officers bear a multifaceted and demanding array of duties and responsibilities within the correctional facilities of the United States. Central to their role is the imperative of maintaining security within these environments. This encompasses a spectrum of tasks, including the meticulous control of inmate movement, a responsibility critical to preventing disturbances and ensuring the overall safety of the facility. Through the execution of regular searches and inspections, correctional officers act as the first line of defense against contraband, fostering an environment that mitigates potential security threats. [...] In conclusion, correctional officers stand as indispensable pillars in the intricate edifice of the criminal justice process in the United States. Their multifaceted role, encompassing the maintenance of security, rehabilitation efforts, and navigating legal and ethical challenges, highlights their pivotal contribution to the functioning of correctional facilities and, by extension, the broader societal aim of justice. The challenges faced by correctional officers, ranging from the physical and mental strains of the job to institutional and ethical dilemmas, underscore the complexity of their responsibilities. In recognizing these challenges, it becomes evident that the effectiveness of correctional officers is intricately tied to the provision of robust support systems. Acknowledging the high-stress environments, exposure to violence, and institutional obstacles, it is imperative to prioritize the mental health and well-being of correctional officers through comprehensive support mechanisms.
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2023-10-21): This study aimed to understand the perspectives of correctional officers participating in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. A total of 54 correctional officers from two State Department of Corrections participated in the study. Correctional officers completed two focus group meetings. The focus group meetings were analyzed using narrative analysis. The themes of the focus group meetings were (1) the emotional toll of working in the criminal justice system, (2) correctional officers managing poor mental health, (3) barriers to mental health-seeking behaviors, (4) benefits and facilitators to MHFA, and (5) recommendations for future MHFA training. In summary, correctional officers emphasized the need for additional mental health resources to cope with the unpredictable and challenging work environment. State Departments of Corrections should prioritize the mental health of correctional officers and work toward destigmatizing mental health across these settings by implementing MHFA for all correctional professionals. [...] Abdel-Salam S, Sunde HM (2018) Enhancing the role of correctional officers in American prisons. Fed Sentencing Rep 31(1):67–74. https://doi.org/10.1525/fsr.2018.31.1.67 [...] Trounson JS, Pfeifer JE (2017) Correctional officers and workplace adversity. J Correct Health Care 23(4):437–448. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078345817720923
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2020-08-14): Correctional officers maintain order and calm in detention centers, jails, and prisons. Before deciding on this career path, it’s important to understand the necessary education and training. This guide will also reveal how to complete your education online and tips to land your first job. Correctional officers are critical to maintaining order and peace in jails, prisons, and other detention facilities. To be qualified to oversee and manage incarcerated individuals, correctional officers must complete the proper education before starting the job. Although a formal degree is not always required to work in corrections, officers need to undergo in-depth training to handle detainees. Before choosing which level education to pursue, it’s good to evaluate where you want your career to go. To help, we have created this guide to breakdown your options, provide an overview of the career, and help you decide if you have what it takes to become a correctional officer. [...] The vast majority of new correctional officers will have to attend a training academy at some point. The only question is when. Some may choose to enroll as tuition-paying students, as if they’re attending a conventional college program, then seek a job upon graduation. But in most situations, enrollees will already have a job with a correctional department and attend the training academy to complete the professional requirements to be qualified for it.
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2016-08-05): Guards, now frequently called corrections officers, were increasingly taught to treat inmates with respect, and to shy away from the use of force unless absolutely necessary.[15] In his seminal 1958 analysis of prison culture, The Society of Captives, Gresham Sykes notes that guards in a New Jersey penitentiary in this decade were instructed to strike prisoners only with nightsticks as opposed to their bare hands, the rationale being that threat of higher staked violence would encourage inmates and guards alike to seek alternative methods of confrontation.[16] Increasingly nuanced training for corrections officers, emphasis on rehabilitative role, and new respect for inmate rights all contributed to a greater movement to professionalize the corrections career that would soon take hold of Cañon City’s prisons. [...] As Civil Rights agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission started to shape the hiring practices of private and public enterprises across the nation after the 1960s, the demographics of corrections officers shifted. More women and minorities found work as correctional officers in prisons, creating diversity in a profession traditionally dominated by white males. In 1987, women comprised about forty percent of the graduating class at the Criminal Justice Academy at Pueblo Community College.[22] According to corrections staff in Cañon City, the increasing presence of female corrections officers has had profound effects on prison culture, as inmates are less inclined to commit violence against women officers due to preconceived notions of female physical weakness.[23] Females working alongside males have challenged the cultural machismo common among corrections officers, creating complexities in the social dynamics of prisons.
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2023-11-28): Many factors have led to the current retention crisis, and it will take more than bonus pay to reverse the trend. To do their job well and safely, COs need safer working conditions. More and better training on de-escalation, improved mail scanning and contraband detection, increasing video surveillance and inmate tracking, and adding more COs can improve CO retention in 2023. [...] The recruitment challenge is forcing jail and prison hiring managers to try innovative approaches. Splashy social media campaigns and engaging recruitment videos are becoming the norm for the profession. Make sure to check out the top correctional officer recruitment videos of 2022 and vote for your favorite.
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2023-11-28): With staggering staff vacancy rates plaguing American prisons, state departments of correction are having to recruit and hire thousands of individuals to serve as correctional officers each year. Among these new recruits are individuals with varying backgrounds and experiences, with most previously working in the service and manual labor sectors. [1,2] With so few individuals coming from occupations related to corrections work (e.g., police, military), the majority of newly hired correctional officers have virtually no experience working within the walls of a prison. [3] [...] With the majority of newly hired officers never having been exposed to prison-related work, correctional training academies are positioned to leave a significant imprint on those who will soon work in our nation’s prisons. [3] Beyond preparing officers to carry out their correctional officer roles, training academies also can create a positive correctional culture and climate that could result in greater longevity on the job. [4] However, the results of our recent study found that training academies are failing in this aspect, with fewer rather than more officers expressing they intend to remain on the job long-term after undergoing training. Thus, what can state departments of correction do to rectify this issue?
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2024-09-24): António Guterres stated on March 18, 2024 in in a speech in New York: Gaza has "the highest number of people facing catastrophic hunger ever recorded by the Integrated Food Security Classification system — anywhere, anytime." Patrick Burke stated on March 2, 2024 in a press release: The Great Lakes account for "over 20% of the world’s freshwater and over 80% of North America’s freshwater." Tony Evers stated on February 11, 2024 in TV interview: "We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before." Elise Stefanik stated on January 28, 2024 in a television interview: "We’ve seen an 800% increase in the Swanton sector, which is the part of the northern border that I represent, in illegal crossings." Kirsten Gillibrand stated on February 3, 2024 in a newsletter for constituents: "Marijuana is currently classified in the same category of drugs as heroin and a more dangerous category than fentanyl or cocaine." Chris Larson stated on November 9, 2023 in X, formerly Twitter: Says expanding Medicaid in Wisconsin would save the state $530 million, which could pay for 3,287 K-12 teachers, or 7.8 educators per district. [...] Tony Evers stated on February 11, 2024 in TV interview: "We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before."
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2022-11-28): Prison officers are the backbone of prison services around the world but are often expected to conduct this challenging public service with limited training. While international standards recommend that prison officers receive both initial and continuous training throughout their careers, the discrepancy between countries is large, as officers’ education ranges from a university degree in some places to only a few weeks training in most jurisdictions. The training matters since such investment could remedy the chronic prison staff shortages that plague prison services worldwide while also enabling them to adhere to human rights standards and contribute to rehabilitation efforts; ultimately creating safer communities for all. [...] This is not to diminish the importance of formal training. Among other benefits, formal training is important for staff satisfaction as difficulties with recruitment and maintenance of adequate staffing levels are common in prison systems, and often linked to poor working conditions and inadequate pay. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights recognises that to attract and retain a professional, competent and motivated workforce, the conditions of prison officers’ service need to empower them to achieve the technical capacity for the profession. In Norway, where prison officers undertake a two-year course that can be extended to a bachelor’s degree in Correctional Studies, prison officers have reported being generally satisfied with the level of education they receive and, in line with international standards, perceive that continuous and specialised education is needed in the long-term to support staff retention and opportunities for promotion.
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2023-12-18): During my travels this year at different county and state correctional facilities I was informed correctional officers are leaving the job in large numbers. The main complaint was consistent: "Our supervisors do not care about us or back us up." While speaking face to face with supervisors and frontline staff I have concluded that the morale problems in any facility is a two-way street. The finger-pointing must stop and working as a team must begin now. [...] I teach classes around the country and get to talk to many of our correctional staff every week. I hear the recurring theme of "burnout" so much that I am naming 2023 as the "Year of Correctional Burnout." I have spoken to staff who have worked three, four, or even five double shifts in one week. The amount of sick leave usage is up and the "shift pizza party" has become a joke. [...] Recruitment efforts at facilities nationwide are taking innovative and unprecedented strategies to identify, qualify and prepare individuals to meet the challenge of the most chaotic and at times dangerous careers available. Increased salaries, sign-on bonuses, retention bonuses, recruitment stipends — money initiates the interest but marketing the culture, the service opportunity and career potential for corrections and law enforcement is required to close the deal.
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2021-11-01): Staff shortages have long been a challenge for prison agencies, given the low pay and grueling nature of the work. But the coronavirus pandemic — and its impact on the labor market — has pushed many corrections systems into crisis. Officers are retiring and quitting in droves, while officials struggle to recruit new employees. And some prisons whose populations dropped during the pandemic have seen their numbers rise again, exacerbating the problem. [...] In Kansas, state Department of Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda testified before the legislature that the problems now are unlike any he’s seen in his career. Kansas has more than 400 unfilled jobs for uniformed officers, a number he expects to grow in the coming months as workers are lured by other employers that pay better. [...] "Before COVID-19, staffing was frequently impacted by economic surges and competing employment opportunities," said spokesman Robert Hurst in an email. "The pandemic has exacerbated these issues. We also recognize that the job of the correctional officer is one of the most difficult in all of state government." He added that Texas has closed six of its more than 100 facilities in the last year due to staffing problems.
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2024-01-10): Some states argue they don’t need as many workers as they did, because they closed facilities or privatized services such as health care. And not all corrections staff work inside prisons; some state corrections departments include probation and parole, juvenile facilities or jails. Still, nearly every state saw a drop in the number of people working in corrections, at a time when prison populations in many places are rebounding. [...] Georgia, where Phillips worked, had half of its correctional officer jobs empty last year, according to state records. In one case, prison employees were so overstretched, they didn’t notice a dead and decomposing body for five days, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The situation has become so bad that West Virginia, Florida and New Hampshire have called in National Guard troops to provide support. In Wisconsin, The New York Times reported staffing ratios kept a prison in lockdown, confining people to their cells for months on end, without visits from family, with no access to the law library and little to no time outdoors for recreation. [...] That leaves prison officials straining to find new ways to increase staffing levels. Joan Heath, a spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Corrections wrote in an email, "[T]he role of a correctional officer is challenging, compared to other job opportunities available from which individuals may choose; however, we will continue in our recruitment efforts showing potential employees that working with Corrections is a good, rewarding career."
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2024-02-11): Yes, Wisconsin correctional officer training classes are largest they’ve ever been [...] The state Department of Corrections graduated its largest training class ever in February with 214 graduates. [...] During a TV interview, Evers claimed pay raises for correctional officers had led to "the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before."
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2024-03-06): It’s true, correctional officer training classes are the largest they’ve ever been [...] A graduation ceremony on Feb. 21 at Madison College for newly-certified corrections officers had 214 graduates, according to the DOC. [...] During a TV interview, Evers claimed pay raises for correctional officers had led to "the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before."
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2019-11-13): We just had an incident two weeks ago where an inmate and officer got to arguing at the grill gate area. They were standing six to seven feet apart. The inmate was standing there with his knife out, and the officer didn’t do anything. They called more officers and talked to him, they didn’t take the knife. Eighty-eight people assigned to the dorm, and there’s almost 200 knives. They don’t do the shakedowns like they used to do 10 or 12 years ago. The officers are their homeboys. Finding correctional officers: Alabama inmates fear more chaos in prison as state hires guards with far less training
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2024-01-11): Instead of expanding the size and scope of government, we’re putting state dollars to work in targeted, efficient ways to recruit, retain, and thank employees in vital roles from corrections officers to case workers.
Claim: “We're having the largest classes of correctional officers we've ever had before.” (Tony Evers, 2024-02-11)
Evidence (2015-11-18): CHARLIE COBB: What began in a third-grade classroom has spread from students to teachers to corrections officers. At the center is still a single teacher determined to inoculate her students, both young and old, against the virus of bigotry.
Claim: New York is "leading the nation with the lowest imprisonment rate of any large state” (NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, 2021-11-08)
Evidence (2021-11-08): Federal data on imprisonment rates supports the claim that New York has the lowest rate among states with populations of more than 10 million people. Imprisonment rates in some smaller states, including Massachusetts, Maine, and Minnesota, are lower than the rate in New York.
Claim: New York is "leading the nation with the lowest imprisonment rate of any large state” (NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, 2021-11-08)
Evidence (2010-08-06): New York City, by far the largest city in the state, has an imprisonment rate of 185 per 100,000. This is undoubtedly high, but it is much lower than many other cities across the state. The city of Rochester — the fourth most populous city in the state — with an incarceration rate of 1,051 per 100,000 city residents, is more than 5 times the rate in New York City. Syracuse — the fifth most populous city — has 864 people in state prison per 100,000 city residents, while the city of Albany has an incarceration rate of 917 per 100,000. Other, even smaller cities like Poughkeepsie and Schenectady experience disproportionate incarceration as well.8 [...] The imprisonment rate in Queens County — 121 per 100,000 residents — is lower than 52 other counties in New York. ↩ These five counties are in the top third highest imprisonment rate counties in New York, with incarceration rates ranging from 312 per 100,000 in Montgomery County to 250 per 100,000 in Franklin County. ↩
Claim: New York is "leading the nation with the lowest imprisonment rate of any large state” (NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, 2021-11-08)
Evidence (2024-01-01): Incarceration is the state of being confined in prison, typically as punishment for a crime. Every country in the world has a prison system of some sort, though the exact nature of that system—as well as the number of prisoners incarcerated within it—varies tremendously from country to country. The United States leads the world in total number of people incarcerated, with more than 2 million prisoners nationwide (per data released in October 2021 by World Prison Brief). This number is equivalent to roughly 25% of the world's total prison population and leads to an incarceration rate of 629 people per 100,000—the highest rate in the world. The prison populations in each U.S. state vary from one to the next, with the highest rates in Louisiana and Oklahoma. Overall, the incarceration rate in the U.S. has skyrocketed in the past decade—the prison population was a mere 200,000 in 1972, less than a tenth of today's total. However, the current rate is the lowest it has been in 20 years.
Claim: New York is "leading the nation with the lowest imprisonment rate of any large state” (NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, 2021-11-08)
Evidence (2023-05-22): A nation’s rate of incarceration is the number of people incarcerated as a proportion of its total population. Internationally, there is broad variation in the degree to which nations incarcerate their citizens, with a nearly 40-fold difference between the highest and lowest rates. The incarceration rate is often interpreted as a measurement of the degree of punitiveness in a society, although it is an imperfect measurement. Factors that may influence these rates include rates of serious crime, law enforcement and prosecutorial decision making, scale of prison admissions, length of time served in prison, and other means of social control in a society. [...] But even in modern societies, other means of social control, such as immigration and detention systems, need to be assessed. Within the criminal justice system, control is exerted through incarceration but also through community supervision under probation or parole. These latter systems are generally less severe in their restrictions, but they nonetheless place limitations on freedom of association, freedom of movement, consumption of alcohol, and a host of other behaviors. In the United States, states such as Rhode Island and Minnesota have very low incarceration rates by American standards, but conversely, they have high community supervision rates (Glaze, Kaeble, Minton, & Tsoutis, 2015).
Claim: New York is "leading the nation with the lowest imprisonment rate of any large state” (NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, 2021-11-08)
Evidence (2024-09-23): All but four US states (the exceptions are Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Minnesota) have a higher incarceration rate than Turkey, the nation with the second highest incarceration rate among OECD countries. See: List of U.S. states by incarceration and correctional supervision rate. See also [edit]- List of U.S. states by incarceration rate - Incarceration in the United States - Youth incarceration in the United States - War on Drugs [...] - ^ a b Liptak, Adam (23 Apr 2008). Inmate Count in US Dwarfs Other Nations'. [1]. The New York Times.