Corrections_Today_Winter_2024-2025_Vol.86_No.4

BOOKSHELF

resolution is imperative within the institutional setting. As Dr. Schofield states, it is not a sign of weakness or capitulation, but a sign of our commitment to lead to a safer institution. Chris Innes provides a powerful process of the importance of dialoguing in his 2015 book, Healing Corrections: The Future of Imprisonment, pointing out that our conflicts require the leader to heal conflicts through discussion, dialogue and compromise. Not a weakness but a testament to building a stronger organization, the leader must be open to conflict resolution, even when one of the conflicts comes from his or her quiver. When conflicts are left unresolved it is harmful to the organization and its personnel. With all of the other issues we are facing, the resolution of conflict has to be a top priority for any correctional leader. Some years ago, a book was published about Servant Leadership, which places the needs and well being of others in front of their own. By taking the time to put other people first the leader and the organization demonstrates their belief in people. The servant leader leads with humility, integrity, and compassion. It provides the venue for change and envisions a process of working together and not in silos. It leads through compassion where the leader has an ability to communicate the four qualities of servant leadership: flexibility, empathy, stewardship, and listening. It is interesting how many times the concepts of good leadership overlap. People often have asked me where I learned about leadership. I told them the Boy Scouts and Platoon Leaders

Class in the Marine Corps. It is very interesting in retrospect although the central tenants of the organizations were different, the leadership taught by both were largely the same. Sinex in his 2014 book titled: Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't, shows that when leaders take care of their people before taking care of themselves, the organization grows stronger. With all of the other issues we are facing, the resolution of conflict has to be a top priority for any correctional leader. The last fundamental concept to discuss is one of trust. Trust is a concept where individuals feel safe, valued and empowered. When trust is not enjoyed between decision makers in an organization, you do not enjoy collaboration but get silos. Leaders understand investment in creating positive relationships strengthens others, allowing for growth. They do not hold on to control but share it; finding power comes through knowledge and coordination. We work together best when knowledge is shared. As I said in the beginning of this review, I would purchase and provide a copy of this short book to everyone who becomes a supervisor, manager, and leader. Leadership is hard work, often contradictive and almost always complex. Dr. Schofield’s book, Dear Leader, provides a roadmap to allow those who take up the mantle of correctional leadership a guide. CT

Mark Your Calendars! Join us for future ACA Winter Conferences and Congresses of Correction! 2025 Winter Conference Orlando, FL Jan. 10–14, 2025 155 th Congress of Correction Denver, CO Aug. 21–26, 2025 2026 Winter Conference Long Beach, CA Feb. 5–10, 2026 156 th Congress of Correction TBD Aug. 20-–23, 2026

Winter 2024-2025 | Corrections Today

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