Private-company detention officers; use of force.
Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-22-106
in effect(a) No person shall be employed as a private-company detention officer unless the person has been trained in the use of force and the use of firearms in accordance with American correctional association standards, §§ 3-4070 through 3-4091, and, at the contractor's expense, has satisfactorily completed a basic training program approved by the state. If the training is provided under contract with the state, the costs of a basic training program shall not be greater than the costs of peace officer training at the Wyoming law enforcement academy.
(b) A private-company detention officer may use force only while on the grounds of a facility or while transporting inmates. Nondeadly force and deadly force shall be used by a private-company detention officer only as provided in this section.
(c) A private-company detention officer is authorized to use only such nondeadly force as the circumstances require in the following situations:
(i) To prevent the commission of a felony or misdemeanor, including escape;
(ii) To defend himself or others against physical assault;
(iii) To prevent serious damage to property;
(iv) To enforce institutional regulations and orders; and
(v) To prevent or quell a riot.
(d) A private-company detention officer who is trained pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, shall have the right to carry and use firearms and shall exercise such authority and use deadly force only as a last resort when reasonably necessary to prevent the commission of a violent felony as defined in W.S. 6-1-104(a)(xii), to prevent the escape of a convicted felon from custody, or to defend the officer or any other person from imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.
(e) Within three (3) days following an incident involving the use of force against an inmate or another, the employee shall file a written report describing the incident with the administrative staff of the facility and with the contract monitor appointed pursuant to W.S. 7-22-108.
(f) A private contractor shall have the same standing, authority, rights and responsibilities as the contracting governmental entity in any agreement, formal or informal, with local law enforcement agencies concerning the latter's obligations in the event of a riot, escape or other emergency situation.
Source: WY Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title07.pdfFetched: 10/4/2026