The Pre-Service Program

The Pre-Service program is designed to provide new employees with the basic knowledge and skills needed to begin their career in corrections.

Everyone hired to work as an employee for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, or as a contract provider, attends at least 136 hours of new-hire training. Hours of training listed below are spent under direct supervision of the Staff Training Academy.

• Support employees with direct inmate contact receive a total of 192 hours of training
• Custody staff (Corrections Corporals and Unit staff) attend 240 hours of training
• NDCS also offers training to jail staff who attend between 75 and 115 hours of training.

Additional hours of training listed below are received after graduating the Staff Training Academy.

• Unit staff and Correctional Officers receive an additional 80 hours of Field Training Officer (FTO) and On the Job Training (OJT).
• Most other positions receive at least 40 hours of On the Job Training (OJT).

EXPECTATIONS

• Punctual attendance
• Lunch breaks are 30 minutes and should be brought in daily. Microwaves and vending machines are available.
• Business casual attire is required on day one. 

The Staff Training Academy provides students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitude to start a career in corrections.

Corrections professionals possess the ability to learn procedures, follow directions, perform essential skills, and maintain a professional demeanor during times of high stress.

LODGING

NDCS provides motel accommodations for staff attending training if they are assigned to the Work Ethic Camp in McCook. (Motel accommodations require approval by the warden/designee.)

Students will normally check-in on Sunday and check-out before classes begin on the final training day of each week.

The In-Service Program

The In-Service program provides annual re-certifications and updates for all employees, contractors, and volunteers. While Custody and Unit Staff account for the majority of the attendees, Food Service, Maintenance, Recreation, and numerous other job classifications attend this training annually.

This program is updated at the beginning of each year based on an annual needs survey, student evaluations, and current correctional trends.
 

Professional Development

Opportunities for professional development are critical to an employee's success. A 40-hour leadership academy is available to mid-managers. Additional training in various areas is available, including on-the-job and field training modules.  

NDCS Professional Develop Continuum

Investing in our most important asset… YOU.

The Mission of the Professional Development Continuum is for staff to see a clear

career, leadership development and personal growth investment

for each stage of their advancement within NDCS.   

First – Level Leader Program: 

Leaders evaluate their strengths, maximize their efficiency and intentionally determine their effectiveness. Participants are guided to develop a leader mindset, evaluate their emotional intelligence (EQ), utilize resources and establish a continued professional development path.

Leadership Academy Program:

Teammates grow and expand key leadership skills; develop ‘Strengths’ based leadership, enhance Supervisor skills and establish clear action plans to implement strategies to transfer learning to their teams.  The Leadership Academy has multiple stages available.

To learn more about the Professional Development Continuum, please contact Lindsey.Carter@Nebraska.gov

The Instructor Schools

The Academy is fortunate to have Instructor-Trainers within the Agency to provide Instructor training in the areas of American Safety & Health Institute CPR/AED/First Aid, PPCT Use of Force, PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense, PPCT Ground Avoidance/Ground Escape and Firearms.

The Instructor Schools provide in-house opportunities for Agency staff to share their knowledge in specialty areas and become skilled in presentation techniques.

The Academy also offers re-certification classes in the areas mentioned above

 

INSTRUCTOR SCHOOLS DESCRIPTIONS

CPR/AED/FIRST AID INSTRUCTOR (24.0 Hours)

This instructor course is certified by The American Safety & Health Institute and is required for anyone teaching CPR or First Aid.

This course prepares instructors to teach employees what to do in a medical emergency before medical help arrives, including how to recognize an emergency and how to respond. The instructor also learns ways to prevent injury and/or illness.
 

PPCT USE OF FORCE INSTRUCTOR (40.0 Hours)

This instructor course is certified by PPCT Management Systems, Inc. and is required for anyone teaching Level II/III - Self Defense/Subject Control.

The course covers Human Factors, Threat Pattern Recognition Research, Control Principles, Reaction Time, Relative Positioning, Resistance Control Continuum, Tactical Handcuffing, Escort Position and Joint Lock Control, Pressure Point Control Tactics, Defensive Counterstrikes, Shoulder Pin, Impact Weapon/Collapsible Baton, and Weapon Retention & Disarming.
 

PPCT SPONTANEOUS KNIFE DEFENSE INSTRUCTOR (24.0 Hours)

This instructor course is certified by PPCT Management Systems, Inc. and is required for anyone teaching Level II/III - Self Defense/Subject Control.

The course covers Human Factors, Control Principles, Reaction Time, Resistance Control Continuum, Fundamentals of Knife Fighting, and Defense Techniques.
 

PPCT GROUND AVOIDANCE - GROUND ESCAPE (16.0 Hours)

This instructor course is certified by PPCT Management Systems, Inc. and is required for anyone teaching Level III - Subject Control.

The course covers Human Factors, Control Principles, Pressure Points, Defensive Counterstrikes, Shoulder Pin, and Ground Avoidance - Ground Escape techniques.
 

FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR (40.0 Hours)

This instructor course is required for anyone teaching Firearms classes for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

The course covers Range Rules and Firearms Class Procedures, Ruger Mini-14 rifle, Remington 870 shotgun, Glock 19 pistol, and familiarization with emergency team weapons.

 

DATES SCHOOLS ARE OFFERED

Call the Academy for Instructor School dates.