MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey hosted 101 newly graduated Correctional Officer Trainees (COTs) at the Governor’s Mansion last week, celebrating their achievement and welcoming them into the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC).
The officers completed 10 consecutive weeks of intensive training at the ADOC Academy and graduated on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Montgomery campus of Church of the Highlands. Each received Alabama Peace Officers’ Standard and Training Commission (APOSTC) certification, officially becoming Correctional Officers.
Governor Ivey commended ADOC Commissioner John Hamm and his staff for their continued success in recruitment efforts, which have reached record levels in recent years. She praised the graduates for their willingness to take on a demanding role in maintaining public safety.
“Not everyone can do what they do, and these 101 men and women are stepping up to meet that challenge,” Governor Ivey said. “Corrections is a vital part of maintaining public safety in Alabama, and I am proud to see that we are continuing to recruit at record rates to strengthen our teams. I anticipate our next class to be our largest to date, so I only expect more growth. On behalf of Alabama, I thank and congratulate each of these men and women for answering the call to serve their communities and our state.”
The Governor’s remarks highlighted both the individual accomplishments of the graduating class and the broader progress in strengthening Alabama’s corrections workforce.
