ST. THOMAS, USVI – The Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections (BOC) continues to progress, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which have affected employee morale, wellness, and work-life balance at correctional agencies nationwide. Director Wynnie Testamark continues to focus on supporting BOC staff by offering increased training, wellness, and virtual resiliency seminars, EPA sessions through CIGNA, and by emphasizing an open-door policy.
In the last month alone, correctional officers have received use of force, report writing, and firearms training. During that same time, correctional supervisors and civilian managers received leadership training at a week-long conference on St. Thomas. To address staffing shortages, which leads to long hours and low morale, BOC has stepped up its recruitment and retention efforts as part of its recently completed 5-year strategic plan. Those efforts have led to a record number of correctional recruits.
