Workshops/Workshop Schedule

Info/Sign Up

The Mock Prison Riot offers various workshops free of charge each year. Although there is a $50 non-refundable registration fee for every attendee, there is no additional cost to participate in workshops, unless otherwise noted on the schedule.

Topics change from year to year, depending on industry trends; however, we do strive to offer a core curriculum of classes designed to apply to the widest range of our attendees.

Some of the classes we regularly offer include - but are not limited to - chemical and impact munitions, Pepperball, and defensive tactics, just to name a few. We also have offered seminars on new and emerging technologies, hostage negotiations, tactical medical, and effective teaching methods for trainers - again, just to name a few.

We will post classes to this web site as they are scheduled, so that you will have a solid idea of our offerings in advance of your arrival. For a listing of current workshops and lectures, please scroll down.

How to Sign Up

Workshop sign up is conducted on site and in person, one day ahead of time. For example, if you see a class that you want to take on Tuesday, you must be on site to sign up at our designated workshop sign up area on Monday. If you see a class that you want to take on Wednesday, you must be on site and sign up on Tuesday. Many people ask why we require in-person sign up. It has been our experience over two decades, that requiring in-person sign up greatly reduces the amount of no-shows and results in extremely accurate class lists for instructors (this is extremely important for classes resulting in certifications and whereby supplies such as smoke, bangs, and projectiles are being shipped to our facility in advance). We recommend arriving early for sign up, as classes - especially those that result in certification - tend to fill up quickly. Please make sure you pay close attention to our schedules.  Some classes/lectures do not have attendance limits and do not require on-site sign up.  Also, we occasionally will accommodate an instructor who requests advance sign-up, especially if supplies for the class are costly and/or difficult to ship or if there are specific safety concerns or pre-requisites.  These classes will be clearly identified with any special instructions. Please read the schedule carefully.

 Please check this page often for changes and remember the following:

• Enrollment for most workshops and lectures is conducted onsite. The schedule indicates if advance pre-enrollment or on-site enrollment is required. Please pay close attention to what each offering specifies.
• If the class is NOT designated as pre-enrollment or on-site enrollment, it is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Just show up to the designated location for the class/lecture. Most Sunday and Monday classes fit this description.
• Onsite pre-registration is mandatory for most Tuesday and Wednesday classes, as these are a lot of our certification classes. These signups are held the day prior to the workshop/lecture. For example, if you want to take a class on Tuesday, you must sign up for it on Monday. If you want to take a class on Wednesday, you must be on site to sign up on Tuesday.
• Sign ups for these type of classes are on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration staff or any Mock Prison Riot staff member can direct you to the locations where workshop sign-ups are held.

Many people ask why we conduct workshop and lecture sign ups this way. After more than 20 years, it has been our experience that onsite class registration greatly reduces the number of no-shows. This is especially important for our certification workshop instructors who have to issue certificates and provide thousands of dollars’ worth of supplies. Again, please pay close attention to each offering. They are clearly marked.

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Most recent update for 2026: 7 May 2025

2026 Mock Prison Riot Workshop Schedule

SUNDAY: 3 May 2026

Title: Basic Crisis Negotiations

Date: Sunday 3 May 2026

Time: 9 am to 12 pm classroom and 1 pm to 4 pm scenario-based training

Location: Classroom 4 and Apartment/Office

Certification: No

Charges: There is no additional charge. It is included in the $50 registration fee

Sign Up: First-come, first-served

Description: Hosted by the WV DCR CNT. Overview of basic crisis negotiation principles and best practices. Following classroom instruction on Sunday, there will be scenario-based training from 1 pm to 4 pm in the Apartment/Office area. This will be for the 20 operators who attend the Sunday morning class. In addition, on Monday the same area will be open to ANY teams/operators interested in Crisis Negotiation training at the Apartment/Office. The site will be open for planning and preparation between 2 pm and 4 pm Monday. On Tuesday the location will be open for scenario-based training in crisis negotiation from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Office/Apartment location. The scenario location will be set up using WV DCR resources to accommodate training operations. Anyone is welcome to participate during the planning session on Monday and the scenario-based training times on Tuesday.

Limit: 20 for actual class and training on Sunday. Anyone is welcome to observe the planning and scenario-based training on Monday and Tuesday.

MONDAY: 4 May 2026

Title: SABRE 0.68 Cal Launcher Instructor Course

Date: Monday 4 May 2026

Time: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Location: Classroom 5

Certification: Yes

Charges: There is no additional charge. It is included in the $50 registration fee

Sign Up: You must be on site on Sunday in person to sign up for this class. 

Description: The SABRE 0.68 Cal Launcher & Projectile Instructor Certification program was developed for agencies to update, train, and certify departmental Instructors. This course was designed to enhance instructor’s development in 0.68 caliber projectiles, payloads, launcher types, deployments considerations, physical and mental effects of 0.68 projectiles and chemical agents, understanding the importance of preexisting medical conditions, training and liability, and the proper use of SABRE 0.68 Caliber Projectiles & Launchers. The course will concentrate on the technical and tactical applications of this information and instructor developmental skills. This training will assist instructors with enhancing their own systems which will help improve the officer’s skills and enhance their proficiency.

Limit: 20

TUESDAY: 5 May 2026

Title: Combined Systems - Less Lethal Impact Munitions

Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2026

Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Location: Classroom 3 and Courtyard

Certification: Yes

Charges: There is no additional charge. It is included in the $50 registration fee.

Sign Up: You must be on site on Monday to sign up in person for this class.

Description: Impact Munitions Instructor Certification Program: Information provided will include history of the product, nomenclature of the product, use of force considerations, hands-on applications, training examples and legal implications. This course will cover: tactical employment of munitions, levels of force, shot placement, 12 gauge, 37 mm and 40 mm specialty munitions/specifications, and deployment techniques. Students must provide their own eye and ear defense, gloves, and duty belt and wear tactical clothing. All other items will be provided by the instructor. Please note: 

Limit: 20

Title: Sabre Aerosol Irritant Projector Instructor Course

Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2026

Time: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Location: Classroom 5

Certification: Yes

Charges: There is no additional charge. It is included in the $50 registration fee.

Sign Up: You must be on site on Monday to sign up in person for this class. 

Description: This one-day agency basic instructor level certification program was designed for agencies to train and certify departmental instructors in a complete use of force continuum program focusing on the deploying, handling, and documenting of the use of chemical aerosols, to include medical issues and legal liability specifically designed for law enforcement and corrections. This course will enhance the instructor's development in the use and training of aerosols tactics and to protect departments from costly litigation issues that could arise from the use of these types of encounters. This program addresses and focuses on the entire use of force continuum with addressing Empty Hand Defense and Transitions to the aerosols, ground stabilization tactics, and tactics for surviving an aerosol attack, introducing new partner drills for safe and effective deployment of these devices that are compatible with any Sabre aerosol deployment system. The instructor also will address a more comprehensive and user-friendly approach with techniques for training officers and other personnel and officer survival related issues and topics. This course fully addresses all aspects of using chemical aerosol projectors. A manual will be sent from the factory upon completion and when the tests are sent in.

Limit: 25

Title: Pepperball Advanced Cell Extraction – 8 hour

Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2026

Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Location: Classroom 7 and Gymnasium or Basketball Court, weather depending

Certification: Yes – Advanced Cell Extraction and Pepperball User Certification

Charges: There is no additional charge. It is included in the $50 registration fee.

Sign Up: You must be on site on Monday to sign up in person for this class.

Description: Classroom/lecture, range deployment with certification. Scenario based exercises. Tactical team members will be introduced to conflict resolution/de-escalation tactics. Members will have to safely operate and qualify with the Pepperball launcher system. Team members will understand case law as it applies to use of force in a correction setting. Team members will develop advanced tactics in inmate control  using the Pepperball system and other apprehension techniques. Members will participate in hands on scenarios testing their ability to plan and execute a pre-planned cell extraction. Upon completion members will receive a certificate of training for Advanced Cell Extraction and Pepperball User Certification

Limit: 35

WEDNESDAY: 6 May 2026

Title: Combined Systems – Flashbang Instructor

Date: Wednesday, 6 May 2026

Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Location: Classroom 3 and South Yard asphalt next to Chapel

Certification: Yes – instructor-level certification

Charges: There is no additional charge. It is included in the $50 registration fee.

Sign Up: You must be on site on Tuesday to sign up in person for this class.

Description: Flash Bang Instructor Certification Program: information provided will include history of the product, nomenclature of the product, use of force considerations, hands-on applications for the product, training examples and legal implications. This course will cover: types of explosions, primary and thermal effects of distraction devices, history and types of diversionary devices, specifications and illustrations of model 7290 flash bangs, M201 Precision Fuze/Fuze firing sequence and ATF requirements. Please note: US CITIZENS ONLY

Limit: 20

Title: Sabre Aerosol Irritant Projector Instructor Course

Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026

Time: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Location: Classroom 5

Certification: Yes

Charges: There is no additional charge. It is included in the $50 registration fee.

Sign Up: You must be on site on Tuesday to sign up in person for this class. Limit: 35 students

Description: This one-day agency basic instructor level certification program was designed for agencies to train and certify departmental instructors in a complete use of force continuum program focusing on the deploying, handling, and documenting of the use of chemical aerosols, to include medical issues and legal liability specifically designed for law enforcement and corrections. This course will enhance the instructor's development in the use and training of aerosols tactics and to protect departments from costly litigation issues that could arise from the use of these types of encounters. This program addresses and focuses on the entire use of force continuum with addressing Empty Hand Defense and Transitions to the aerosols, ground stabilization tactics, and tactics for surviving an aerosol attack, introducing new partner drills for safe and effective deployment of these devices that are compatible with any Sabre aerosol deployment system. The instructor also will address a more comprehensive and user-friendly approach with techniques for training officers and other personnel and officer survival related issues and topics. This course fully addresses all aspects of using chemical aerosol projectors. A manual will be sent from the factory upon completion and when the tests are sent in.

Limit: 25 or until classroom is full

Title: Pepperball Advanced Cell Extraction – 8 hour

Date: Wednesday, 6 May 2026

Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Location: Classroom 7 and Gymnasium or Basketball Court, depending on weather

Certification: Yes – Advanced Cell Extraction and Pepperball User Certification

Charges: There is no additional charge. It is included in the $50 registration fee.

Sign Up: You must be on site on Monday to sign up in person for this class.

Description: Classroom/lecture, range deployment with certification. Scenario based exercises. Tactical team members will be introduced to conflict resolution/de-escalation tactics. Members will have to safely operate and qualify with the Pepperball launcher system. Team members will understand case law as it applies to use of force in a correction setting. Team members will develop advanced tactics in inmate control  using the Pepperball system and other apprehension techniques. Members will participate in hands on scenarios testing their ability to plan and execute a pre-planned cell extraction. Upon completion members will receive a certificate of training for Advanced Cell Extraction and Pepperball User Certification

Limit: 35