Stories @ TCAT

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville has instituted the Correctional Officer Program. This was made possible due to legislation from Governor Lee and the General Assembly in the 2022 State budget Package. The State-wide Program is designed to provide education and skill training to meet the Tennessee Corrections Institute Minimum Standards by providing 864-hours [two trimesters] of approved training for jailer/correctional officer certification.

In January 2023, TCAT-Shelbyville hired Sarah Jones as the correctional officer instructor. Jones began her law enforcement career in 1987 working for a municipal police agency in the State of Florida. After ten years of working in the patrol division, she stepped back to a reserve officer status to pursue her master’s degree in education.

Jones began working in corrections in 2000. She has worked for county, state, and federal correctional institutions as a correctional officer, correctional counselor, and training administrator.

As the program instructor, Jones will work closely with surrounding City and County law enforcement agencies to meet their needs for certified correctional staff. Through classroom instruction and skills applications, the students will experience the varied daily responsibilities of correctional officers.

This program will allow the students to address skill sets in various areas such as defensive tactics, CPR & first aid, mechanical restraints, cell searches, pat-down searches, and prisoner transports. Role play will also be included to increase their communication skills, direct supervision, and authoritative skills. In addition, the program will provide the students with the chance to shadow an officer while on the job to get firsthand knowledge and experience in the field.

The Criminal Justice, Correctional Officer program is now enrolling, as the Technical College’s 12th program of study and another high demand career path. For more information about this program and how to apply visit https://tcatshelbyville.edu/programs/criminal-justice-correctional-officer