GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR EIGHT NEW ADULT CORRECTIONS OFFICERS

HILO, HAWAIʻI ISLAND - The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) welcomed a new class
of eight adult corrections officers (ACO) at a graduation ceremony at the Island of Hawaiʻi YMCA in
Hilo on Monday, July 14, 2025. The graduates from Basic Corrections Recruit Class (BCRC) 25-03B
completed eight weeks of rigorous training.

During the ceremony, DCR Director Tommy Johnson congratulated all the graduates. "All of these
graduates have worked hard to this point and effectively demonstrated humility and teamwork,"
Johnson said.

"In their careers, they will face situations that will test the content of their character, their
integrity, commitment, faith and courage of conviction. The challenge in them is to do what is
right. In doing so, they will have the greatest impact on public safety and gain the respect and
admiration of their peers, supervisors and the public they serve," he added. "I sincerely thank
each of the graduates for their service. I thank their family and loved ones for their steadfast
support."

Keynote Speaker Hilo Circuit Judge Peter K. Kubota also applauded the graduates. "You guys are
great young men," Kubota said. "A lot of training, a lot of commitment, a lot of hard work and
sacrifices from yourselves and your family members to get you there. All from our beautiful
community of Hilo."

It's a challenging and "very rewarding career that you're embarking on," Kubota said, noting that
the new corrections officers join a team of corrections officers across Hawaiʻi that are the
foundation of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Since the department's redesignation from the Department of Public Safety (PSD) to the DCR on
January 1, 2024, the department increased its annual recruit classes to six from three, to address
the staffing shortage of corrections officers at facilities in Hawaiʻi. By the end of this year,
the department aims to have eight classes.

There are currently 1,140 filled ACO positions and approximately 380 vacant positions.

DCR also compressed its recruitment training course to eight weeks from 11, while still covering
critical training to ensure ACOs are well-prepared for their jobs.

In addition to increasing the number of recruit training classes, DCR broadened its recruitment
efforts with radio spots, social media, bus ads and advertisements at movie theaters statewide.

Recruit training comprises more than 300 hours of classroom instruction and physical training.
Recruits learn a variety of subjects that include standards of conduct, ethics and professionalism,
report writing, interpersonal communications, maintaining security, crisis intervention, security
threat groups (gangs), mental health, first aid, use of firearms and self-defense tactics.

New corrections officer Valuvalu Leiato said he wanted to become a corrections officer
to make a positive impact on individuals in our custody and care.

"You can never judge a book by its cover," Leiato said. "Like what the judge said, a simple shaka,
a simple aloha. That makes a big difference."

All incoming classes receive Recruit Field Training along with Basic Corrections Training. During
the final weeks of training, they go into the facility where they begin their jobs with guidance
from their training sergeants.

The eight new corrections officers have been assigned to the following jails and prisons:

• Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center: 7
• Kulani Correctional Facility: 1
  

DCR Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is to provide a secure correctional environment for comprehensive rehabilitative, holistic and wraparound re-entry services, including culturally-based approaches to persons sentenced to our custody and care with professionalism, integrity, respect and fairness. Our goal is to reduce recidivism and enhance the safety and security of our communities.

Graduation ceremony footage and photos are available in the following link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15cb7xDarE_aOK_6GlzWEs_MZ6j- tx1Xb?usp=sharing.

The images are courtesy of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Media contact:
Rosemarie Bernardo
Public Information Officer
Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Office: 808-587-1358
Cell: 808-683-5507
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://dcr.hawaii.gov