The General Assembly finds that:
(1) there is a need to improve the administration of the correctional system to better protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public;
(2) the ultimate goal of the correctional system is to make the community safer by reducing the incidence of crime;
(3) establishing a correctional system with significantly increased power to reduce recidivism and prevent recruitment into criminal careers will require a sufficient number of qualified staff to perform the many tasks to be done;
(4) recent studies have revealed that greater training for correctional work is highly desirable;
(5) the need for training can be substantially met by creating educational and training programs for individuals seeking careers as correctional officers;
(6) while serving in a probationary capacity, a correctional officer should be required to receive efficient training provided at facilities that are approved by a commission that is authorized to approve training facilities;
(7) by qualifying and becoming proficient in the field of corrections, correctional officers shall individually and collectively better insure the health, safety, and welfare of the public; and
(8) Department of Juvenile Services employees should have specific and appropriate training for that population.