May 19–23, 2025, Folkston, GA — A week of intensive instruction, expert demonstrations, and team-based exercises brought together security professionals from across GEO Group facilities for a standout Disturbance Control Team (DCT) training event. Hosted at the Folkston ICE Processing Center, this immersive program offered hands-on instruction in law enforcement training, defensive tactics, and prison riot response, equipping officers with real-world tools to handle critical incidents effectively.
Core Curriculum: Tactical Precision Meets Practical Application
Over five focused days, participants engaged in both classroom instruction and rigorous physical training. The key subjects of the program reflected the increasingly complex demands placed on today’s correctional personnel:
✅ Controlled F.O.R.C.E. M.A.C.H. System
One of the most anticipated components of the week was training in the Controlled F.O.R.C.E. M.A.C.H. (Mechanical Advantage Control Holds) System. This nationally recognized system emphasizes mechanical leverage and joint manipulation over brute force. Officers learned:
• Joint control tactics to minimize injury during restraint
• Positioning and movement techniques for officer safety
• De-escalation through control, not escalation through aggression
Attendees gained critical skills for safe inmate handling, an essential component of both defensive tactics training and everyday corrections work.
🛡 Riot Control: Formations, Movements & Strategy
As correctional environments can shift from calm to chaos in moments, riot control capabilities remain a cornerstone of disturbance readiness. DCT instructors led dynamic drills in:
• Squad formations and flanking techniques
• Team movement under pressure
• Shield wall coordination and baton use
Officers practiced working in unison, demonstrating precision and communication under simulated high-stress scenarios—essential for effective prison riot response.
🔥 Chemical Agents & Less-Lethal Response
Understanding and deploying chemical agents was another high-value training area.
Attendees learned:
• Proper use and dispersal of OC spray (pepper spray) and other chemical munitions
• PPE protocols and decontamination steps
• Psychological and tactical considerations of chemical deployments
This module prepared officers for real-world emergency situations requiring crowd dispersion or inmate compliance in non-lethal ways.
🚪 Cell Extraction Scenarios
A particularly intense part of the program involved cell extraction training. DCT instructors guided participants through:
• Multi-officer coordination and role assignments
• Use of shields and protective gear
• Quick, controlled extractions with minimal use of force
These scenarios demanded peak teamwork and communication—skills that directly translate into safer operations during actual disturbances.
Who Attended? GEO Group’s Security Elite
This training brought together security officers and emergency response team members from various GEO Group facilities, all committed to raising the bar on professional readiness. The camaraderie and collaboration among attendees fostered both learning and team cohesion.
Participants shared insights from their own institutions, enriching the group with real-world context. The collective dedication to professionalism and safety underscored the mission- driven culture of GEO Group’s correctional teams.
Key Takeaways: Readiness, Confidence, Control
Attendees left Folkston with a renewed sense of confidence and the tactical knowledge to:
• Respond decisively during facility disturbances
• Utilize defensive tactics effectively and ethically
• Improve team coordination under pressure
• Elevate the security and safety standards of their institutions
In short, the training was not just about learning new techniques—it was about mastering the mindset of calm, confident control in the face of chaos.
Stay Connected: Future Trainings & Updates
Are you a corrections professional ready to take your skills to the next level? Don’t miss out on future training opportunities like the GEO Group DCT event.
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