Welcome
Welcome to the official CUSA (Corrections USA) website. CUSA is a not-for-profit corporation formed by correctional officers in 1998 to provide national recognition for correctional officers employed by federal, state and local governments and is the leader in the fight against prison privatization on the national level. We work daily to enhance the image of Correctional Officers across the nation. CUSA was the first organization to give out the "Valor Award" to Correctional Officers who have helped make the image of Correctional Officers better through their Brave acts. We proudly represent over 80,000 publicly employed correctional officers from across this nation. Corrections USA is not a labor organization and does not get involved in the collective bargaining process at any level of government.
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Events & Conferences
Our Annual CUSA Conference will take place at the Harrah's Hotel Las Vegas on
February 3-5, 2014. Honoring the men and women who patrol the toughest beat in
law enforcement, our nation's professional Correctional Officers! Everyday day
in our nation, Correctional Officers go above and beyond the call of duty to
protect the safety of the public. It's time we recognize these courageous men
and women. The medal of Valor Awards ceremony for 2013 winners will take place
at this 2014 CUSA Conference.
Breaking News:
California Corrections Officer, K-9 Killed in Crash
PETER FISCHETTI SOURCE: THE PRESS ENTERPRISE
CREATED: MARCH 26, 2013
Sgt. Gilbert Cortez and his K-9 named Mattie were killed Monday in a rollover crash.
A correctional officer assigned to the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco and his dog were killed early Monday, March 25, in a rollover crash on Route 79 in San Diego County. Eastvale resident Gilbert Cortez and his K-9, Mattie, died when his car rolled off the road in the Warner Springs area. He was leading three other K-9 teams in separate cars driving south on State Highway 79 in San Diego County on their way to conduct a contraband search of La Cima Fire Camp, a corrections department news release stated.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
No other vehicles were involved. Cortez, a 46-year-old sergeant, was part of the Southern Regional K-9 Unit. He started his career in 1990 at the California Institution for Men in Chino. A year later, he transferred to Calipatria State Prison and was assigned to the Investigative Services Unit. In 2001, he was transferred to the Norco prison to complete K-9 training.
Cortez is survived by his wife, their two children and his parents.
"All of us at CDCR mourn the tragic death of Officer Gilbert Cortez," California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Jeff Beard said in the news release. "He was a valued member of our department and his untimely passing, in the line of duty, is a huge loss to all who worked with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gil's family, friends and colleagues. We are also deeply saddened by the death of Gil's K-9 partner, Mattie." Mattie was a Belgian malinois, donated by a private citizen in the San Diego area. She began serving with Cortez in August 2011 and was certified to search for contraband and narcotics. The K-9 program uses dogs and skilled handlers to detect cell phones and drugs in prisons.
Martin Alexi, public information officer at the prison, said a memorial service likely will be held for Cortez "since he died in the line of duty," but his family would ultimately decide on that.
Group honors slain corrections officer
Four others from Colorado singled out for roles in incident
Posted 2/13/13 | city@chieftain.com|
LAS VEGAS — Five officers from Southern Colorado — including slain officer
Sgt. Mary Ricard, who was killed last fall at the Arkansas Valley
Correctional Facility in Ordway — received the Medal of Valor at the annual
conference of the Corrections USA held here last week.
The four other officers recognized for their bravery in connection with the
Sept. 24, 2012, incident were Sgts. Lori Gann, Lisa Orosco, Greg Haugen and
Michael Perez.
Professional public corrections officers from across the United States met
in Las Vegas for the annual Medal of Valor awards ceremony. CUSA represents
more than 80,000 publicly employed correctional officers across this nation.
The Colorado officers were recognized for their heroic roles in the incident
last year in which a violent offender allegedly turned on Ricard, killing
her and seriously wounding Sgt. Gann. The other officers were first on the
scene and restrained the offender while administering lifesaving first aid.
Medal of Valor award winners are nominated by their peers, supervisors,
community members or government leaders.
Corrections USA is saddened to report the death of at least one Correctional
Officer and another is fighting for her life. Details have not been
released. What we do know is one Officer was killed in the kitchen of the of
Arkansas Valley State Correctional Facility in Ordway, Colorado. The second
Officer is in the hospital fighting for her life. Governor Hickenlooper of
Colorado is reportedly at the hospital with the family. He was at the
facility earlier today. We will keep you updated on this tragedy.
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