CCA Graduates First La Palma Correctional Center Recruit Class

Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) welcomed 76 new correctional officers today, at the first graduation ceremony for the La Palma facility in Eloy, Arizona. Scheduled to open in July, La Palma will employ nearly 600 correctional professionals, making it CCA’s largest facility in the country.

“The 76 officers that graduated today should be proud of their hard work over the past 5 weeks,” said Charles DeRosa, Warden of the new La Palma facility. “They are now equipped with the necessary building blocks to accomplish a very successful correctional career.”

Each correctional officer participated in a 5-week educational and physical training program, which included training in security, use of force techniques, chemical agents, communication skills, and first aid and healthcare. The current April 2008 starting pay for a correctional officer at the La Palma facility is $16.50 per hour plus full healthcare, retirement and vacation.

“Joining the CCA team in Arizona represents a tremendous opportunity for career advancement,” said DeRosa. “Arizona’s six facilities provide officers significantly better opportunities to accept lateral promotions without uprooting their families and moving to another community.”

In Arizona, CCA currently operates Eloy Detention Facility, Red Rock Correctional Center, Florence Correctional Center, Saguaro Correctional Center and Central Arizona Detention Center. Partnering with the Pinal county residents for 15 years, CCA has been ranked as a “Top 100” Arizona employer for its large employee base. With five facilities currently operational and a sixth under construction, CCA will employ an estimated 2,300 Arizonans with a payroll exceeding $100 million. State and local taxes paid by CCA’s operations contribute significantly to school funding, road improvements, and other key public infrastructure.