By C1 Staff
SELMA, Ala. — The third class of correctional trainees counts 13 women among its ranks, with a total of 91 set to graduate this week.
Al.com reports that a graduation ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, at the Alabama Criminal Justice Training Center Auditorium in Selma.
The commencement speaker for the ceremony is Andie Moss, president of the Moss Group, which has been helping the Alabama DOC improve conditions at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women.
The first class of 2014 graduated in April; the second, in July.
DOC officials are combating the inmate-to-security officer, which is a high ratio if 11-to-1 compared to the national 5-to-1 average, by ramping up recruitment efforts. Such efforts have increased applications, including a higher number of women applying to become correctional officers.
They start at $28,516; the pay is higher if they are certified law enforcement.