Correctional officers: training.
The bill aims to address the alarming disparities evident in the correctional system, particularly those affecting racial and ethnic minorities. Statistics indicate that Black Americans are disproportionately represented in the correctional population, facing higher rates of incarceration and probation revocation compared to their White counterparts. AB 2977 seeks to mitigate these disparities by providing correctional staff with the tools necessary to recognize and counteract their own biases, fostering a more equitable correctional environment. Ultimately, the training will support the legislative intent of improving public safety and ensuring just treatment of all individuals within the correctional system.
Assembly Bill 2977 establishes a mandated training program on implicit bias for correctional officers, parole officers, and probation officers in California. This program will be developed by the Board of State and Community Corrections, which will convene a working group comprising experts in implicit bias as well as individuals with lived experience in the correctional system. The training will focus on understanding implicit biases and their impact on decision-making within correctional contexts, emphasizing the importance of awareness and the reduction of bias-driven disparities in the criminal justice system. All specified correctional personnel must complete a three-hour training course by January 1, 2024, along with a continued training and refresher course every three years thereafter.
While the intent behind AB 2977 is to enhance equity in the correctional system, some stakeholders may contest the implementation details, including the potential costs associated with training and compliance for local agencies. The bill mandates that the state will reimburse local agencies for any additional costs incurred due to this training program, which could raise concerns about funding and administrative burdens. Additionally, ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the training’s effectiveness and impacts on practices within correctional facilities will be essential to ensure the program yields the intended benefits and does not become a mere checkbox exercise.