ST ANN, Jamaica — The Department of Correctional Services now has 67 additional correctional officers, who have been labelled by State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr, as “the chosen few” because they are the first cohort to have undergone the polygraph screening, implemented as a strategy to help prevent corrupt or tainted individuals from joining the island’s correctional services.

A graduation ceremony for the new correctional services took place at the Department of Correctional Services’ 76th intake ceremony held on Tuesday at the Salem Baptist Church in Runaway Bay, St Ann, under the theme “Lighting the path; paving the way”.

In his valedictory charge to the graduates, Charles Jr noted they will be expected to produce even greater results than any batch before them. He, however, warned that they will be closely monitored to ensure that “they do not fall off the wagon” and perform at a mediocre level.

 Senator Charles Jr, also applauded their career choice to join the ranks of those he described to be the hardest workers on the island.

“On behalf of the Government of Jamaica and the Ministry of National Security, I want to say thank you. Thank you for stepping up to the plate and doing your part in seeking to protect our country.”  Senator Charles Jr said.