The Arizona Department of Corrections
badge dates back to 1955. In 1955, ADC Officers were issued a silver,
shield-shaped hat badge with an eagle at the top and the state of Arizona
seal in the center encompassed by the words "State Prison
Guard."
In the 1960s, the hat badge was changed to a similar,
larger badge. The major difference between the two badges was the
reference to officers. ADC Officers were referred to as "Prison
Officers" rather than "State Prison Guards."
From 1970-1980, the badge shaped was altered to a
rounder shaped badge with the words "Arizona State Prison"
encompassing the state seal.
In 1976, officers began buying their own shirt and coat
badges. The new uniform badge was a larger, similar version of the hat
badge. Officers were not required to purchase badges, wearing a badge was
optional. At this time, there was no standard uniform badge, badges varied
from unit to unit
In 1981, ADC changed the
shape of the badge to the state of Arizona outline. Today, this badge is
worn on the uniforms of Correction Officers, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Captains and Majors.
The personnel of Inspections and Investigations and
Parole Officers badges differ from Officer badges. Parole Officers
wear a gold shield-shaped badge. Inspections and Investigations and other officials within the Department,
including Wardens, Deputy Wardens and the Director, wear a seven-pointed star badge.
The seven-pointed star badge has changed from a flat silver badge to a
curved gold badge.
