This is an explanatory guide to the way in which the Centre for Legal Studies and Specialised Training (CEJFE) conceives and structures the specialised training of prisons security guards. The guide contains the basis of the annual training programmes which make up the specialised training available at the Centre for this group of professionals. The specialised training of the prisons security guards is based on 6 basic principles: 1. Permanent consideration of human rights and international recommendations for training prison staff working in the field of correctionals. 2. Setting the training of prison staff in a framework that demarcates the twofold mission of a penitentiary institution: custody and rehabilitation of people deprived of freedom. 3. The conception of a mission for the prisons security guards that goes beyond the strict sphere of security: to watch over the order and security of the prisons while helping to meet the inmates’ basic needs and taking part in their rehabilitation process. 4. Adaptation of the training to the requirements of the work place from the perspective of excellence (professional competence). 5. The willingness of service of the Social and Criminological Research and Training Department of the CEJFE, in order to adapt the specialized training to the changing needs of the Prison Services Directorate, and promote their strategic projects. 6. A commitment to improvement, updating and innovation which means that this guide is in permanent evolution.
Introduction; Structure of the training; Specialised training; Selective initial training; Lifelong training; Refresher training for common competences; Refresher training for competences by fields of work; In depth training; Cross-disciplinary training
Training activities for common competences
1. Institutional competence; Training in institutional competence
2. Security control; Training in security control;
3. Prevention of incidents; Training in prevention of incidents;
4. Management of conflict; Training in management of conflict;
5. Communication with the inmates; Training in communication with the inmates;
6. Cooperation and team work; Training in cooperation and team work;
7. Resistance to pressure; Training in resistance to pressure;
8. Management of information; Training in management of information
Training activities for work postings
1. Hospital or psychiatric centres or units;
2. Treatment of addictions centres or units;
3. Units for relations with the outside;
4. Incarceration and release departments;
5. Control centre;
6. Accesses;
7. High security custody units;
8. Open and semi-open custody units;
9. Women’s units;
10. Young offenders units;
11. Workshops, occupational training and services
Centre for Legal Studies and Specialised Training (CEJFE)
Ricart, A., Moreno, M., Puig, M., Gato, I., Bertran, M.& Ferrer, G. (2013). The specialised training of prisons security guards. Generalitat de Catalunya Centre d’Estudis Jurídics i Formació Especialitzada.
The specialised training of prisons security guards (gencat.cat)
