University 03
March 30, 2021 2026-09-07 5:09University 03
Message from the Commissioner
Welcome to the Caribbean Correctional Academy (CCA), the first institution of its kind in
the region dedicated to correctional education, professional development and
leadership.
The establishment of the Academy marks a defining moment in the transformation of
Jamaica’s correctional services. Building on the proud legacy of the Carl Rattray Staff
College, the CCA will expand access to continuous professional development and
deliver accredited, competency-based education aligned with national, regional and
international standards.
Core Values
Professionalism
Accountability
Ethics and human rights
Rehabilitation and reintegration
Regional cooperation
Evidence-based practice
History of the Carl Rattray Staff College Origins
Jamaica’s correctional services were once administered by three separate entities: the Jamaica Prison Service, the Probation Service and the Approved Schools. Their independent operations resulted in duplication of functions, administrative inefficiencies and increased costs. In 1975, the Government of Jamaica merged the three entities to establish a unified Department of Correctional Services (DCS).
The Caribbean Correctional Academy
The Caribbean Correctional Academy is more than a training institution. It is a catalyst for professional development, correctional transformation and regional leadership. By shaping the next generation of correctional professionals, the Academy will position Jamaica as the Caribbean’s leading hub for correctional education, research and evidence-based practice.
