New corrections officers join MDOC in Steve Rivard Academy class

Approximately 200 new corrections officers joined the Michigan Department of Corrections as members of the Steve Rivard Academy class in December.

Graduation ceremonies were held Dec. 4 in the Upper Peninsula and Dec. 18 in the Lower Peninsula.

MDOC Director Heidi Washington and class namesake, Steve Rivard, also addressed recruits during graduation ceremonies.

Recruits will now complete eight weeks of on-the-job training at their assigned facilities.

Graduating recruits also earned awards for personal conduct and academic achievement.

Award winners included:

Upper Peninsula Academy

Jack Budd Award — Officer Brenden Hannah, Alger Correctional Facility

Josephine McCallum Award — Officer Anthony Zampese, Marquette Branch Prison

Academic Achievement Award — Officer Ashley Jarvis, Marquette Branch Prison

Lower Peninsula Academy

Jack Budd Award — Lakeisha Hayes, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility

Josephine McCallum Award — Andre Collins, Carson City Correctional Facility

Academic Achievement Award —

Erin Coughlin, Central Michigan Correctional Facility; Joshua Jewell, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility; and Jason Janczyk Jr., Michigan Reformatory