| Contact: | Sunny Mindel / Sid Dinsay |
(212) 788-2958 |
| Sandy Smith (Dept. of Correction) | (212) 266-1055 |
"Over the past seven years, crime has fallen dramatically," said Mayor Giuliani, "And the Department of Correction is a big part of the reason why. The work you do each and every day makes all the difference in ensuring that our remarkable record of crime reduction is the beginning of a long-term trend."
"You are entering a very challenging job -- a job that does not always receive the kind of appreciation that it deserves," Mayor Giuliani added. "But it's a tremendously important job. You are critical partners in building a safer New York City."
Commissioner Fraser said, "Despite the growth in our inmate population, our jails are safer today than they have ever been. The 3,259 new Correction officers hired under Mayor Giuliani's administration is one factor in keeping crime down under our watch. Now our jails are safe, and our morale is high."
Today's graduating class includes William Mears and Lenore Cook, who are husband and wife. They along with other graduates completed a rigorous 16-week training program at the Correction Academy in Queens.