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DOC Testimonies

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 30, 2025

CONTACT: pressoffice@doc.nyc.gov

NYC DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION JOINS PARTNER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO PROMOTE STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND RESILIENCE

The Training Partnership Enables Staff from Multiple Jurisdictions to Share Best Practices and Participate in Peer Learning and Support.

The Inaugural Training Also Provided Tools to Help Staff Manage Stress, Prevent Burnout and Build Resilience.

EAST ELMHURST, NY – NYC Department of Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie today announced a groundbreaking collaborative training partnership between the NYC Department of Correction (DOC) and the Essex County, NJ Department of Corrections. The partnership is designed to enhance the exchange of best practices, establish unified instructional standards, build trust with public safety partners, and maximize resources across the corrections community.

“Healthy staff, and the healthy exchange of ideas, support healthier facilities for everyone,” said NYC Department of Correction Commissioner Maginley-Liddie. “Investing in professional development and wellbeing while strengthening relationships with our city and regional corrections partners, is a win for the agency, the city and the region.” The training, hosted at the NYC DOC Training Academy, features a comprehensive curriculum tailored to meet the unique challenges faced by correction officers. Participants take the lessons learned back to their commands and respective units, where they will develop and implement resilience programs that will improve staff’s mental health, wellness, and peer-to-peer support structures at both departments.

The inaugural training session was led by Sergeant Matt Walker of the Essex County Corrections Department, focusing on New Jersey's acclaimed Resiliency Officer Program (ROP). As part of this “train-the-trainer” program, instructors from several NYC DOC units learned key strategies and principles of the program, enabling them to establish a cadre of trained Resilience Officers within the NYC DOC.

Sergeant Walker, a leading advocate for the program in Essex County, said, “The Resiliency Officer Program has been transformative for corrections and law enforcement professionals in New Jersey. We are proud to share this program with our partners in New York City and look forward to seeing its impact as they develop their own Resiliency Officer teams.”

The New Jersey Resiliency Officer Program, launched by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, is a pioneering initiative aimed at promoting mental health and well-being among law enforcement professionals. Grounded in the understanding that resilience is critical for high-stress professions, the program equips officers with tools to manage stress, recognize signs of burnout, and support colleagues facing mental health challenges. Core components of the program include:

Peer Support Training: Teaching officers how to effectively offer support to their colleagues during times of personal or professional crisis.

Wellness Strategies: Introducing evidence-based practices, such as mindfulness, stress management, and healthy coping mechanisms, to help officers maintain their mental and emotional well-being.

Suicide Prevention: Training officers to identify and intervene when a colleague may be at risk of self-harm, fostering a culture of proactive care and support.

This collaboration marks the beginning of a broader effort to foster partnerships that promote innovation and excellence in corrections and public safety training. Both the NYC DOC and Essex County NJ Department of Corrections remain committed to advancing the field through shared expertise and mutual support.

“Ongoing training promotes the wellness and security of our Corrections Officers and staff and helps us provide a safe environment for inmates and detainees,” said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. “As an agency that houses inmates from the Federal, State and County levels, we are proud that the New York City Department of Correction recognized the effectiveness of our resiliency program at the Essex County Correctional Facility and asked us to provide training and help implement it for them. We are pleased to share what we have learned and appreciate being recognized for having a model program.”

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The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment while providing individuals in our care with a path to successfully re-enter their communities.