Graduation day for new Western Virginia regional jail guards

By Candice Nelson
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: November 21, 2008

53 recruits are now certified correctional officers after graduating from the Roanoke County Criminal Justice Academy on Friday, November 21st.

“It’s just been a lot of learning, a lot of training. A lot went into it from day one until today, graduation,” said Carrie Moore, one of the new recruits.

The recruits did not waste any time, receiving a tour where many of them will be working, the Western Virginia Regional Jail on West River Road in Roanoke County. They brought along friends and family for the tour.

“They’ve worked hard the past 11 weeks and you should be proud,” said Deputy Superintendent, Bobby Russell.

The jail isn’t finished yet. It’s about 85% complete, and because it isn’t operating its day-to-day operations yet, the recruits’ families got the rare opportunity to tour inside the building.

“Obviously once everything gets up and going, they’re not gonna be able to see behind the scenes,” said Michael Morris, a new recruit.

The only people who are working inside are construction workers, but the recruits are learning where to go.

“It’s huge. It has a lot to offer,” said Moore.

And they have more to learn after graduation.

“When they feed the meals, when they open the doors, when they lock the inmates down, all the aspects of this specific operation,” said Russell.

After 11 weeks of training, it’s a career many are looking forward to.

“Before this, I drove trucks, so it was kinda like going from just behind the wheel and not dealing with anybody and now it’s dealing with all these people. It’s like a big family, now,” said Morris.

The recruits are starting from scratch – just like the jail – looking for future opportunities.

“Gonna be a lot of new people coming in who’s never done this before who are getting the same training I have. There’s always a possibility that you can always stay here and go up, and get more training,” said Moore.

The jail is scheduled to open in March 2009. It will employ about 200 people and will be able to hold more than 800 inmates from Roanoke County, Franklin County, Montgomery County and Salem.