Over 30 individuals are currently immersed in an intensive training cycle with the Department of Corrections (DOC).

Aimed to produce the next group of corrections officers, recruits are in the middle of training as they learn what it takes to uphold that position.

In front of the Parks and Recreation Building in Hagatna, a group of 32 individuals is undergoing comprehensive training, focusing on the rules, procedures, and responsibilities associated with being a corrections officer.

These recruits, recently hired by the DOC, are passionate about contributing to their community by ensuring the safety and security of correctional facilities.

Devon Benavente, one of the recruits, expressed his excitement and fulfillment in realizing his childhood dream of being part of law enforcement. Benavente shared,

“When I was a kid, I used to watch a lot of law enforcement. Cops was number one for me and being a corrections officer would definitely fit that just because I want to help my community. It feels great, honestly. I can’t believe it. I didn’t think I was going to be here today but now wearing the green, I feel happy.”

Another recruit, Nathaniel Charfauros, felt he was called to have a career dedicated to protecting and serving his community. “I believe that everyone has a call to service, no matter what profession you pick, whether it’s police, fire, or within DOC. It’s a calling that you have,” Charfauros shared.

For recruit Catherine Short, she said she never dreamt of being a corrections officer until she learned about how inmates are poorly treated behind bars. She wants to change that and lead with compassion.

“I see on the news a lot, not necessarily on Guam but stateside, that they treat them as if they’re criminals, they’re not humans at all, as if their crime defines who they are and I joined because I want to help these inmates realize that your crime doesn’t define you. You can still change, you can get out of here and live your life.” 

As one of the nine women in the current batch of recruits, Short acknowledged the gender imbalance in this line of work but remains determined not to let it deter her from performing her duties.

"There’s not many females because it is a tough job. My only fear has nothing to do with me being female, but it would just be that I could be alone in there, and something could break out, and I wouldn’t have any backup," Short noted.

The recruits are set to graduate on December 22.