Photo Provided Law enforcement and corrections officers from across the country and around the world check out vendors during the Mock Prison Riot event in Moundsville.

MOUNDSVILLE — The 27th annual Mock Prison Riot wrapped up Wednesday in Moundsville after a week of training law enforcement from across the country and around the world.

The event, organized by the West Virginia Corrections Training Foundation, was held at the former West Virginia Penitentiary.

Terry Rusin, president of the West Virginia Corrections Training Foundation board, said the training is offered to law enforcement and organizations that manage prisons, jails and juvenile facilities.

“During the 27 years, 34 states have participated and 17 countries this year. The training is designed to improve the work process inside those prisons, jails and any kind of riot situation,” he said.

During the course of the week about 1,000 people received training. There were also 50 vendors offering a variety of equipment and technology that participants could try out.

“We set up scenarios so they can use the equipment,” Rusin said. “They can experiment with it from their situation … and decide if it fits within their organization.”

Rusin said the Moundsville event is different from others held across the country because participants get to train during live scenarios inside and outside the old penitentiary. They also have competitions between the different departments.

“We give them a chance to work with actors during scenarios. We film the scenarios and then we evaluate those scenarios and give them tips on how to do that better,” Rusin said. “They can go back and do it again so they can do it the right way.”

Rusin said the foundation would like to improve the penitentiary so that it could be used in the future for year-round training. He said they may also renovate part of the old prison into housing for participants to stay in while training.

Rusin said an economic impact study is going to be conducted this summer; however, he estimated its impact at $4 million to $5 million annually.

The participants book the local hotels, eat in the restaurants, purchase gasoline and more.