West Virginia Regional Jail CERT Wins 2011 Mock Prison Riot

​The West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety (DMAPS) today announced that the West Virginia Regional Jail CERT (corrections emergency response team) achieved 1st place in the 2011 Mock Prison Riot held last weekend at the former state penitentiary in Moundsville, W.Va.

This was the 15th annual mock prison riot, a 4-day event where law enforcement and correctional officers from across the globe gather to hone their skills through tactical training, demonstrations, workshops, competitions and an array of other related activities. This was the first year that West Virginia’s regional jail team competed and, in order to claim the title, beat 13 other groups in events such as compound search and clear, restore order, low light recovery and team pistol shooting.

DMAPS Cabinet Secretary, Joe Thornton, said “It was an honor for West Virginia to host this year’s mock prison riot and a privilege to welcome so many industry professionals to our state. Our Regional Jail CERT taking home the championship was the icing on the cake. They have shown that our state can be a leader in the public safety arena and I couldn’t be more proud of the expertise and dedication displayed by these individuals.”

For more information visit www.mockprisonriot.org.

Contact: Heather Miles, 304-558-2930