2024 ACA Nashville Program Book_154th Congress of Correction

THURSDAY, AUG. 15

2:15–3:30 P.M.

The presentation will focus on the process and analysis used to inform leadership and advance the organization by listening to staff and improving their working environment. Moderator: David Robinson , Chief of Corrections Operations, Virginia Department of Corrections, Richmond, Virginia Speakers: Eleanor DeWolfe , Operations Robinson , Chief of Corrections Operations, Virginia Department of Corrections, Richmond, Virginia; Matthew Whibley , Lead Operations Data Analyst, Virginia Department of Corrections, Richmond, Virginia Developing Desistance: An Overview of Peer-support Initiatives in Singapore Prison Service to Support Offender Rehabilitation [CEU] Room 205-B This presentation provides an overview on how desistance principles are incorporated into Singapore Prison Service’s (SPS) correctional practices, as a key strategy for offender rehabilitation. The presentation will highlight peer support and peer-led initiatives in SPS which serve as a platform for offenders to engage in meaningful interactions with peers who share similar experiences, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. These structured sessions are facilitated by offenders or ex-offenders who have desisted from crime with an emphasis on positive role-modelling to encourage participants to build pro-social identities and be equipped with skills to successfully reintegrate into society. The presentation will cover the selection and training process for these peer supporters, and how they are supported in their role. Moderator: Foo Yue Xuan Hatsuee , 2 nd Superintendent, Institution B4, Singapore Prison Service, Singapore Speaker: Gayathri d/o Raja Rajeswara Data Analyst, Virginia Department of Corrections, Richmond, Virginia; David

Pathways to Reduce Staff Stress and Improve Staff Wellness: Examples from the Delaware and Missouri Departments of Corrections [CEU] Room 201-A Corrections professionals face unprecedented challenges as they face a widespread staffing crisis coupled with increased scrutiny by the general public. Staff wellness is essential to the functioning of a correctional facility and also to supporting incarcerated person wellness. During this workshop, department of corrections representatives will share about programs and policies they implemented to reduce staff stress and improve staff wellness including hosting staff recognition events, establishing a staff decompression lounge and implementing a suicide prevention taskforce, among others. Correctional leaders and staff will learn how they too can better support staff wellbeing in light of the ongoing correctional staffing crisis. Moderator: Evelyn F. McCoy , Senior Manager, Urban Institute, Washington, D.C. Speakers: Dana Plunkett-Cafourek , DAI Quality Control, Missouri Department of Corrections, Jefferson City, Missouri; Heather Doncaster , Chief of Planning, Research and Reentry, Delaware Department of Correction, Dover, Delaware Power From the People: Focus Groups with Corrections Staff [CEU] Room 205-A The Virginia Department of Corrections uses employee focus groups to gather insights on perceived employee support and desired improvements. Utilizing focus group methodologies and analysis frameworks to align employee input with the Agencies Strategic Plan Goals, Support Practices and the American Psychological Associations Dimensions of a Healthy Workplace (Grawitch & Ballard, 2016). The comments captured are categorized into themes, with exemplars highlighted to extract key insights for enhancing operational processes and improving employee well-being.

WORKSHOPS

Thursday, Aug. 15 ▼ 2:15–3:30 p.m.

Sarma , Assistant Director, Correctional Assessment Planning, Singapore Prison Service, Singapore

ACA 154 th Congress of Correction | Nashville — 85