Corrections Instructor Byrd Taught Cultural Diversity; Still No IDs Of Cadets In 'Nazi Salute' Photo

While state officials are still not identifying the West Virginia corrections officer trainees during a pending investigation into a photo showing many in the class giving an apparent Nazi salute, public records shed some light on other aspects of the training program — including one trainer who has been a focal point of the controversy.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting obtained the information about the training program through a public records request to the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety under the state’s Freedom of Information Act.

A redacted version of the photo, which was released last week, shows 31 members of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation Basic Training Class #18 seated in rows giving what appears to be a Nazi salute.

The photo includes the state seal and the insignia for the DOCR, and is captioned “Hail Byrd,” which state officials have said is a reference to a class instructor.

Read more: https://www.wvpublic.org/post/corrections-instructor-byrd-taught-cultural-diversity-still-no-ids-cadets-nazi-salute-photo