New prison officers have begun active service, after their passing-out parade last week at Warwick Camp as the class of 2025-26 for the Department of Corrections.

Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, told the cohort of six: “Today you celebrate your achievement. From tomorrow, you carry responsibility.

“Wear your uniform with pride and discipline. Bermuda is better for the fact that people like you choose this profession.”

Ms Wilkerson said: “You have studied the legal framework that governs your authority, worked through policies and procedures, and trained in areas including mental health awareness, human rights, first aid and professional conduct.

“That preparation matters.”

The minister added that she had observed “careful instruction and disciplined practice” at the group’s use-of-force training.

“The lawful use of force is about control, proportionality and accountability, not aggression,” she said. “That understanding is essential to public confidence and to your own safety.”

Ms Wilkerson said professionalism and integrity were crucial to upholding department standards, adding: “Work is under way to strengthen standards and modernise operations within the department, but no policy or review can substitute for personal integrity.”

Officers must couple maintaining order along with an environment that supports rehabilitation, she said.

“The public expects you to maintain order,” Ms Wilkerson told the group.

“The justice system expects you to uphold the law. Your colleagues will depend on your consistency and reliability.

“This profession requires steady judgment, composure under pressure and sound character.”

She told families and loved ones at the ceremony: “Behind every officer, there is someone who encouraged them on the difficult days and supported them when the finish line felt far away.”