In Corrections,
there are a number of divisions which allows
corrections officers a variety of work
opportunities. The position of a corrections
officer is very challenging, and at the
Penobscot County Jail, we consider our officers
to be professional as they manage a very
challenging occupation. All
corrections officers must pass a rigorous
background check, polygraph examination, and
departmental physical.
Applicants must be 21 years of age, of good
character and background.
One month of level A and B training is completed
with new hires prior to being assigned to the
cellblock. Areas covered, but
not limited to, are training in the areas of Haz-Mat,
blood-borne pathogens, self-defense, report
writing, security procedures, first aid, and
CPR. Within the first year,
all full-time corrections officers must complete
level C training, which is held at the Maine
Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.
CIT
(Crisis
Intervention Team) With cooperation from
NAMI,
we have trained our Correction Officers in
crisis intervention. CIT officers are specially
trained officers who have the skills to
recognize and respond appropriately to people
experiencing a psychiatric crisis. CIT officers
have learned how to de-escalate people who are
in crisis they also help by facilitating care by
our on site mental health professionals.
Security
officers book inmates that are brought into
the facility by municipal, county, state, and
federal agencies or those sentenced by the
courts. Over 5000 inmates are processed yearly.
Fingerprints no longer are taken with the
inking method but now are
completed utilizing the Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (AFIS).
Fingers are rolled across a glass and
electronic images are printed, as well as
electronically exported to the State Bureau of
Investigation in
Augusta
. From there, felony
fingerprints are forwarded electronically to the
Federal Bureau of Investigations fingerprint
repository. Digital
photographs now replace film methods allowing
for images to be stored in the computer in
conjunction with the name file and history.
Inmate screenings for medical and mental
health issues are also a function of the
security officers. Deck
officers manage the direct observation of
inmates and attend to many duties on the block
during their shift. It is
the responsibility of the staff to ensure that
no inmate leaves in worse condition than which
they arrived. It is the
responsibility of the Program Division to assist
inmates in programs and community-service
projects in an effort to help those wishing to
advance their lives while incarcerated.
Control Room
Officers control movement in and out of the
facility, as well as the doors throughout the
entire facility. This is
accomplished through a state-of-the-art
computerized touch-screen control panel.
Officers request doors into, out of,
and throughout the facility to be opened
through radios, intercoms, and cameras.
Cameras record all movements in the
facilities' common areas and recording devices
document activities in the event that an
incident occurs.
Training Division-A
training officer oversees all training within
the entire Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office.
Both the law enforcement and correctional
divisions are required to meet minimum training
standards as set by the Maine Criminal Justice
Academy. All officers of our
agency meet or exceed these standards.
Candidates wishing to be sponsored by the
Sheriff’s Office into the
MCJA 100 hour pre-service school may apply
by contacting the training officer. The
candidate is subject to a background check and
approval by the sheriff. Candidates must be of
good character and not have any substantial
driving history or any criminal history. Tuition
costs are borne by the candidate.
Successful completion of the MCJA Alert
Test must accompany the application and the
Academy charges $40.00 for the test.
Training Officer-Sergeant
Kenny Williams
(207)947-4585 .
Color Guard-
Members from the Penobscot County Jail have
formed an Honor Guard and regularly march in
town parades and in honor of our Veterans and
for special events. Requests
shall be made through: Jail
Administrator (207)947-4585.
Penobscot County Sheriff's Office
