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New officers benefit from peer mentorship

August 30, 2024

Inside CDCR followed new officers from the Basic Correctional Officer Academy through their training, graduation, assignment, and peer mentorship.

Watch the video by Rob Stewart, TV specialist, Office of Public and Employee Communications:

Field Training Sgt. K. Fox helps mentor and guide 18 cadets through what will be their assignment at California Medical Facility (CMF) at Solano.

“To be there with hands-on training at the academy and walk with them through CMF, it shows them the way (we do) it and our expectations,” Fox said.

He greeted the new officers on their first day at CMF and will be with them for four weeks, ushering them through the peer mentorship job-shadowing program.

A vital component introduced by CMF is face-to-face meetings with the incarcerated population on the new officers’ first day at the institution.

Warden Daniel Cueva said he wants new officers to understand those in their custody are not monsters, but people.

“I want to show we may be able to impact their lives in a positive way,” Cueva said.

Terrance Harris, an incarcerated person at CMF, said he’s invested in the wellbeing of the new officers.

“Here’s what you haven’t been taught (and the) conversations you don’t know,” he said. “This is the aspect of your training you haven’t received yet.”

Joshua Lasley, one of the new officers, said it was important to learn about the perspective of those who live in the institution.

“It was great to break the barrier (and) get to know them on a more personal level,” he said. “They’ve done things but they’re people.”

Interested Correctional Officer applicants can apply online at JoinCDCR.com.

Video and story by Rob Stewart, TV Specialist
Office of Public and Employee Communications

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