At the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), every recruit’s story reminds us that courage often begins long before the uniform. Behind every badge is a journey — of resilience, reinvention, and resolve. Class 500 of the Corrections Officers Academy brought together three extraordinary recruits whose paths couldn’t be more different, yet all found purpose in service: Phoenix Schloss of Benton County, Amanda Kobussen of Pierce County, and Msaad Charafeddine of Kent Corrections.
Phoenix Schloss: Breaking the Cycle
Phoenix Schloss grew up on a 180-acre farm that became known as a “trap house.” Her childhood was defined by chaos — both parents addicted to methamphetamine, her father imprisoned, and Phoenix stepping in as a caretaker for her younger brother by the time she was ten. But where others might have seen a dead end, she found direction.
“I learned what not to do,” she says simply. “I saw drugs destroy everything I loved — so I built my life around doing the opposite.”
At seventeen, pregnant and determined to break free, she moved out on her own. Today, she’s a mother, a corrections officer, and a role model who still looks after others — from younger siblings to her incarcerated population.
“Every person is still a person,” Phoenix says. “It only takes one decision to be on the other side of those bars.”
Her WSCJTC training gave her the confidence and defensive-tactics skills to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with anyone in her facility, but it’s her empathy that makes her exceptional. She brings the kind of perspective that transforms a uniform into a calling — proof that the cycle can be broken, and strength can be learned.
Amanda Kobussen: Grace Under Pressure
Born in Misawa, Japan, Amanda Kobussen’s story bridges two worlds — Japanese and American, discipline and compassion. Her career began not behind walls, but behind a bank desk. For more than twenty years, she worked in sales and banking until the industry’s instability and her husband’s upcoming military retirement pushed her to seek something greater.
“I wanted a career that was stable, meaningful, and connected to community,” she explains. “Corrections was something I researched for a long time. People didn’t think I could do it because I’m quiet — but that’s exactly why I can.”
At the academy, Amanda learned to turn her calm into control. “Hollywood makes corrections look loud and aggressive,” she laughs, “but for me, success is about de-escalation and respect. People make mistakes — that doesn’t make them less human.”
She credits her training at WSCJTC for pushing her far beyond her comfort zone — from scenario-based drills to defensive tactics — and for reinforcing the professionalism she already lived by. A wife and mother of three, Amanda brings empathy and order to a profession that demands both.
Charafeddine Msaad: The American Dream in Uniform
For Charafeddine Msaad, service is both an honor and a gratitude. Born and raised in Morocco, he came to the U.S. in 2015 with determination, a strong work ethic, and big dreams. Within two years, he had a full-time job, a home, and a family.
“I’m grateful every day,” he says. “I wanted a family, a house, a career — everything my parents worked for. Here, I made it real.”
His journey into corrections began with curiosity and courage. “I’d never even seen the inside of a jail,” he laughs. “But once I did, I saw a community — people who need protection, structure, and help.” That perspective deepened one day when an inmate suffered a seizure during his training. Without hesitation, Msaad stepped in to help save her life.
“She was asking for help,” he recalls. “If I’m not going to help, then why wear the uniform?”
At WSCJTC, Msaad found more than tactics — he found purpose. “They teach you it’s not about fighting. It’s about controlling the situation, minimizing injury, and communicating under pressure,” he says. “That’s what separates good officers from great ones.”
The Heart of WSCJTC Training
The Corrections Officers Academy is more than a classroom — it’s where resilience becomes readiness. From defensive tactics to communication under crisis, recruits learn to lead with composure, compassion, and courage.
Phoenix, Amanda, and Msaad embody what WSCJTC stands for: that transformation is possible, that service begins with empathy, and that the best officers are built not just through training — but through the strength of their stories.
Beyond the Badge celebrates the people behind the profession — those who protect with purpose and lead with heart.
Learn more about WSCJTC’s Corrections training programs at cjtc.wa.gov.