HONOLULU — The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) welcomed a new class of 12 adult corrections officers (ACO) at a graduation ceremony Friday, June 27, 2025. The graduates from Basic Corrections Recruit Class (BCRC) 25-03 completed eight weeks of rigorous training.

DCR Director Tommy Johnson said, “We are proud of every graduate that represents honor and integrity. They also represent a new generation of corrections officers who will become future leaders in the corrections field.”

During the ceremony, Johnson addressed the new graduates and attendees: “Their class motto is kuleana hoʻohanohano, meaning ‘duty-bound, integrity driven.’ That is what you want in corrections officers.”

Since the department’s redesignation from the Department of Public Safety (PSD) to the DCR on January 1, 2024, the department increased its recruit classes to six from three a year to address the staffing shortage of corrections officers at facilities in Hawaiʻi. By the end of this year, the department aims to have eight classes — six on Oʻahu and two on Hawaiʻi island.

There are currently more than 1,140 filled ACO positions and approximately 375 vacant positions.

DCR also compressed its recruitment training course to eight weeks from 11 weeks while still covering critical training to ensure ACOs are well-prepared for their jobs.

More than 130 recruits graduated from Basic Corrections Recruit Classes in 2024 compared to 56 recruits in 2023. This year, over 50 recruits graduated from recruit classes to date.

During the ceremony, keynote speaker Sen. Brandon Elefante, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, addressed the graduates. Being a correctional officer is no easy task, Elefante said. “Know that the community appreciates the work that you will do and continue to do. Your role is vital in safeguarding the safety and well-being of our community.”

In addition to increasing the number of recruit training classes, DCR broadened its recruitment efforts with radio spots, social media, bus ads and advertisements at movie theaters statewide.

Recruit training comprises more than 300 hours of classroom instruction and physical training. Recruits learn a variety of subjects that include standards of conduct, ethics and professionalism, report writing, interpersonal communications, maintaining security, crisis intervention, security threat groups (gangs), mental health, first aid, use of firearms and self-defense tactics.

All incoming classes receive Recruit Field Training along with Basic Corrections Training. During the final weeks of training, they go into the facility where they begin their jobs with guidance from their training sergeants.

The 12 graduates have been assigned to the following jails and prisons:

• Hālawa Correctional Facility: 4
• Maui Community Correctional Center: 1
• Oʻahu Community Correctional Center: 3
• Women’s Community Correctional Center: 4
  

DCR Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is to provide a secure correctional environment for comprehensive rehabilitative, holistic, and wraparound re-entry services, including culturally-based approaches to persons sentenced to our custody and care with professionalism, integrity, respect and fairness. Our goal is to reduce recidivism and enhance the safety and security of our communities.

Graduation ceremony footage and photos are available in the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1w5bzAtGOqkxkQLUFvyK-HJjtorPV-wNo?usp=sharing.

The images are courtesy of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Media contact:
Rosemarie Bernardo
Public Information Officer
Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Office: 808-587-1358
Cell: 808-683-5507
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://dcr.hawaii.gov