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<section article="gcs" article_name="Correctional Services" number="8-202" title_number="8" title_name="State and Local Correctional System -- Generally" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Correctional Training Commission">
  <text>The General Assembly finds that:</text>
  <level label="1">
    <text>there is a need to improve the administration of the correctional system to better protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="2">
    <text>the ultimate goal of the correctional system is to make the community safer by reducing the incidence of crime;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="3">
    <text>establishing a correctional system with significantly increased power to reduce recidivism and prevent recruitment into criminal careers will require a sufficient number of qualified staff to perform the many tasks to be done;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="4">
    <text>recent studies have revealed that greater training for correctional work is highly desirable;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="5">
    <text>the need for training can be substantially met by creating educational and training programs for individuals seeking careers as correctional officers;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="6">
    <text>while serving in a probationary capacity, a correctional officer should be required to receive efficient training provided at facilities that are approved by a commission that is authorized to approve training facilities;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="7">
    <text>by qualifying and becoming proficient in the field of corrections, correctional officers shall individually and collectively better insure the health, safety, and welfare of the public; and</text>
  </level>
  <level label="8">
    <text>Department of Juvenile Services employees should have specific and appropriate training for that population.</text>
  </level>
</section>
