Training Academy
The Wyoming Department of Corrections Training Academy is located near the Wyoming State Penitentiary in Rawlins, Wyoming. The Academy provides training for the Department and consists of a Training Manager, six full-time training lieutenants, and an executive assistant. Our P.O.S.T. Certified Basic Training Academy is nine weeks of intense training. All staff members new to the Department participate in the first week of training.
All new staff hired to work at one of the institutions (both correctional officers and non-uniformed staff) attend the first five weeks, which include extensive training in communications skills and de-escalation techniques such as Verbal Judo and Motivational Interviewing (a technique proven to reduce recidivism among offenders). Correctional Officers continue their training with subjects such as Wyoming case law, WDOC policies and procedures, report writing, ethics, and managing inmate behavior.
All staff members receive staff safety training, non-uniformed staff get Natural Response Control Tactics while uniformed staff get PPCT’s Defensive Tactics. Students receive their normal salary while in training. Experienced Correctional Officers may be eligible to attend a shortened training called Mini-Basic. Please ask the recruiter for more information.
Training Academy Standards
All employees entering the Wyoming Department of Corrections Training Academy in a correctional security position will complete two physical fitness assessments during the ten-week academy as outlined below:
Assessment 1: Completed during the first week of the Academy. This gives the employee and Academy staff an idea of where work is needed to pass the assessment at the altitudes found in Wyoming (the Academy is located at 6,750 feet). Staff members are available to assist employees in meeting or maintaining the standard required to complete the academy.
Assessment 2: Completed the week before PPCT’s Defensive Tactics training. Starting with that training and continuing to the end of academy, the employee will be required to perform many physically challenging tasks. In order to enter this section of the academy, the employee must meet the following:
Training Academy Standard or better in each category (see below)
Employees who do not meet this standard during the second assessment will be dismissed from the Academy and sent back to their home facility. The warden of each facility will assess whether there is a post the employee can work until the next Academy.
Contact Training Academy Manager:
David Birozy
Training Academy Manager
WDOC Training Academy
924 3rd Street, Rawlins
Mailing: P.O. Box 400, Rawlins WY 82301
Phone: 328-5625
Email: david.birozy1@wyo.gov
PHYSICAL FITNESS STANDARD (Altitude adjustment is included)
FEMALE
MALE
The Wyoming Department of Corrections does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person(s) has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
For inmates: Facility Grievance Manager
For staff: Facility Human Resources Representative
For public: WDOC Public Information Officer, Stephanie Kiger
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.