TDOC Expands the Crisis Intervention Team

22 Staff Members Graduate From Training

Tullahoma – Friday February 1, 2019, 22 Tennessee Department of Correction employees from several of the Department’s facilities graduated from the Crisis Intervention Team Training (CIT) program.  The CIT program is a nationally recognized training, conducted by the National Institute of Corrections that teaches correctional staff how to better manage individuals suffering from a mental illness.  This training empowers front line staff to not only recognize symptoms of a mental health crisis, but also gives them additional tools to help de-escalate a potentially critical situation.

The training, which took place at the Tennessee Correction Academy, consisted of 40-hours of training that involved lectures and role playing exercises as well as visits to facilities that specialize in mental health care.   Currently, TDOC has had over 100 staff complete this invaluable training since the inaugural class. 

“This nationally recognized training builds upon the skills that are taught in the basic correctional officer training program,” says Assistant Commissioner of Rehabilitative Services Edward Welch.   He goes on to add, “This additional training gives officers more tools to use if they come in contact with people in crisis.  These additional de-escalation techniques will improve both offender and officer safety.”