Criminal Justice Corrections (CJSTC Basic Recruit Component)

Course Description

CJK0093 — Criminal Justice Corrections (Florida CJSTC Basic Recruit Curriculum) is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in Florida's regulated Correctional Officer Basic Recruit Training Program. The course is governed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC), and the curriculum, instructional standards, and proficiency requirements are established statewide. Successful completion of the full Correctional Officer Basic Recruit Training Program (of which CJK0093 is a component) is required for certification as a Florida Correctional Officer per Section 943.13, Florida Statutes.

This course is offered at FDLE-approved Criminal Justice Training Centers across Florida, including Hillsborough Community College, St. Petersburg College, Valencia College, Miami Dade College, Broward College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Pensacola State College, and other CJSTC-approved institutions. The full Basic Recruit Training Program comprises multiple courses totaling approximately 420 hours of instruction.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of CJK0093, students will demonstrate competency in CJSTC-mandated areas including:

• Apply introduction to corrections: Florida correctional system structure; Department of Corrections; county jails (Sheriff-operated); juvenile detention; private corrections; institutional and community-based corrections.
• Apply legal foundations of corrections: Florida Constitution; Florida Statutes Chapters 944, 945, 951; Florida Administrative Code Chapter 33; constitutional rights of inmates; use-of-force law.
• Apply communications skills: verbal de-escalation; report writing; radio communication; testimony fundamentals; documentation in correctional settings.
• Apply professionalism and ethics: CJSTC-defined ethics and conduct standards; corruption prevention; appropriate inmate-officer relationships; Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) compliance.
• Apply interpersonal skills: conflict resolution; cultural awareness; mental health awareness; recognizing signs of crisis.
• Apply introduction to criminal justice information systems: NCIC; FCIC; departmental records systems.
• Apply physical fitness and wellness fundamentals: CJSTC fitness standards; wellness practices for the corrections career.

Note: Specific module content is governed by the current FDLE/CJSTC Correctional Officer Basic Recruit Curriculum. Students should consult the FDLE-approved curriculum documents and the institution's training center for current learning outcomes specific to CJK0093.

Major Topics

Required Topics

Topics align with the FDLE/CJSTC mandated curriculum and may include:

• Introduction to Corrections: History; Florida correctional system; the role of the Correctional Officer.
• Legal Aspects: Constitutional law; Florida statutes governing corrections; inmate rights; officer authority and limitations; civil liability.
• Communications: Verbal communication; written reports; radio protocols; testimony preparation.
• Ethics and Professionalism: CJSTC Code of Conduct; ethical decision-making; corruption resistance; PREA standards.
• Interpersonal Skills: Conflict resolution; de-escalation techniques; cultural competency; mental health awareness.
• Information Systems: Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC); National Crime Information Center (NCIC); departmental records.
• Health and Wellness: Physical fitness; stress management; career-long wellness.

Resources & Tools

• FDLE Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission curriculum (current version)
• Florida Statutes Chapters 943, 944, 945, 951
• Florida Administrative Code Chapter 33 (Department of Corrections)
• FDLE training materials (instructor-provided)
• Department of Corrections policy and procedure documents

Career Pathways

Successful completion of the full Correctional Officer Basic Recruit Training Program (of which CJK0093 is a component), passage of the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE), and CJSTC certification per Section 943.13, F.S., qualifies graduates for employment as:

• Correctional Officer (SOC 33-3012) with the Florida Department of Corrections (state prisons), county jails (Sheriff's offices), or private correctional facilities.
• Juvenile Detention Officer with Florida Department of Juvenile Justice or county detention facilities.
• Probation Officer with continued education and certification.
• Continuing Career Path toward correctional supervisor, classification officer, or transition to law enforcement officer roles with additional cross-discipline training.

Special Information

FDLE/CJSTC Certification Required

This course is one component of the Florida Correctional Officer Basic Recruit Training Program. Successful completion of the full Basic Recruit Training Program (approximately 420 hours), plus successful passage of the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE), plus background investigation and CJSTC certification, are required for employment as a Florida Correctional Officer per Section 943.13, Florida Statutes. Individual courses such as CJK0093 do not alone qualify a student for officer certification.

Eligibility Requirements

Per Section 943.13, F.S., applicants for Correctional Officer certification must meet specific requirements including: be at least 19 years old; be a U.S. citizen; have a high school diploma or equivalent; have no felony convictions or specified misdemeanor convictions; pass background investigation including fingerprint check; pass medical examination; pass psychological screening; pass CJSTC physical abilities test.

Wellness and Support Resources

The corrections career involves exposure to traumatic situations and chronic occupational stress. Florida Department of Corrections and most county sheriff's offices provide employee assistance programs (EAP), peer support, and access to mental health resources for officers. National resources include the National Sheriffs' Association and Correctional Peace Officers Foundation. Career-long attention to wellness is strongly encouraged.

Program Structure (PSAV / Clock-Hour)

Specific clock-hour allocation for CJK0093 within the broader Basic Recruit Training Program varies by institutional structure but typically falls in the range of 30 to 80 clock hours for an introductory or specialized component module. Students should consult institutional documents and the FDLE-approved curriculum for current allocations.