Philadelphia’s Department of Prisons is beefing up its roster, celebrating a new wave of graduates and welcoming a record-setting class of cadets ready to join the ranks. The recent graduation ceremony saw 53 cadets, transformed now into certified correctional officers, preparing to enter the prison system. This uptick in staffing is a result of deliberate strategies put in place to carry staffing numbers closer to what they were before the pandemic, according to the department’s leadership and bolstered by resources from the City of Philadelphia's Department of Human Resources.
During the ceremony, Curtis Jones, Jr., Councilmember for the 4th District, graced the graduates with a keynote address. Jones acknowledged the graduates' families, every "wife, husband, mother, father and child" who supported the cadets. He highlighted the importance of their roles, stating, "Being a correctional officer means you are helping somebody who made a mistake before you got there," according to Philly's official website. He added, "You have the opportunity to help someone who needs a second chance. We are proud of you as you take on this new role, and we will support you." Alongside the fresh faces, 26 members of the correctional staff climbed up the hierarchy, stepping into roles as deputy wardens, captains, lieutenants, and sergeants.
In a gesture of thanks and encouragement, Commissioner Michael R. Resnick spoke to the promotees about the qualities of leadership and fairness. As reported by the city’s official website, Resnick urged the advancing officers to "reflect on a supervisor they respected as a role model — someone who was fair and embodied the necessary qualities to be a great leader as they take on their new roles."
Following the graduation, Commissioner Resnick introduced 71 recruits at the Command Hour, taking place at the training center. This event marked the beginning of what will be a nearly three-month journey leading to their graduation in July, establishing it as the largest cadet class in PDP's history. The Command Hour provided the recruits with encouragement, words of wisdom, and the chance to directly engage with Commissioner Resnick in a Q&A session that signifies the department’s commitment to open dialogue and inclusion of fresh perspectives.
