Mock Prison Riots Wrap-Up
Posted by Hilary Gibeaut
Wow, what an exciting four days Morgantown, WV! …and it is not often that one can say that!
Hundreds of corrections and law enforcement officers took part in the 2009 Mock Prison Riots, honing skills, learning new techniques and demonstrating and evaluating new equipment. For example, twenty officers were certified by the TASER training team on the new TASER® Shockwave™ area denial system and 61 officers were certified on the new TASER® XREP™ wireless shotgun projectiles.
A K-9 unit stands ready to break up a hostage situation
Over the course of the four-day event, I observed five training scenarios. Two of the training scenarios were staged in the cell blocks, with one scenario simulating 15 inmates refusing lockdown and the other simulating a situation where a guard was taken hostage by a group of inmates. During the hostage scenario, the rescue team brought in a K-9 unit, and it was so compelling to see how the dog scared the inmates into submission. I have a much better understanding and greater respect for the effectiveness and power of a well-trained K-9.
I also watched a scenario where a bus with inmates onboard broke down. The CERT (Corrections Emergency Response Team) threw smoke screens and flash bangs to distract the inmates so they could get on the bus and regain control. Yet another scenario was in the dining hall, where inmates started fighting and barricaded the doors to the hall. There were three teams of CERT officers who entered the dining hall and used both chemical and non-lethal devices to contain the situation.
This is my second year in a row attending Mock Riots with TASER. I must say that Mock Riots is one of my favorite events to attend; the people that attend this event are so friendly and dedicated to their profession. These men and women have no fear of learning new skills, trying new equipment or even taking a voluntary exposure of a TASER electronic control device (ECD) — amazingly more than 200 people volunteered to feel the effects of our ECD technology.
CERT officers board a broken down bus full of inmates
All in all, in my opinion, this year’s Mock Prison Riots was again a huge success. It attracted numerous agencies from around the world, including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, Egypt, the Bahamas and Canada. The impressive list of attendees also included training chiefs, tactical operators, and other industry experts.
Four days goes quickly when you are at the Mock Prison Riots. It is a bit of a let-down now that the event is over; but the team from TASER International, including me, is already looking forward to coming back next year!