Corrections_Today_Fall_2025_Vol.87_No.3

COMMUNICATIONS

can work together to bring this information forward and assist in preparing those leaders who will be speaking at press conferences. – Inmate characteristics , including their history, their sentence, what offenses they are incarcerated for, any gang affiliations or other disciplinary issues. – Incident characteristics , such as the time and general method of escape, whether they had as sistance (inside or outside) and any additional crimes that occurred during the escape (e.g., car jacking, assault, etc.). – Other characteristics can relate to prior escapes from the institution, the current staffing structure, whether staff adhered to policy and procedure, the general overview of the search process, the impact to the community, institutional risk management issues and other similar topics. 10 Updates and additional press briefings should be scheduled as needed until the conclusion of the search, announcing either the resolution of the incident or the re-capture of the individuals. The public should also be reminded of how to report suspicious activity and what steps they can take on their own to feel more secure. Sometimes we take these “little things” for granted, but it bears repeating: lock your vehicles and residence, keep lights on outside, remove overgrown brush or shrubs close to a house and be alert. Crisis communication outcomes Effective crisis communication can help advance the strategic goals of a correctional institution and enable those impacted to feel a sense of relief and confidence in the staff and leadership of a jail or prison. 11 Following the principles of effective crisis communication as described in this article can lead to positive outcomes, such as: – Mitigate reputational damage and maintain public trust: By providing accurate and timely information, correctional executives can control the narrative and prevent rumors from spreading. Transparent and honest communication can help build and maintain public trust in the agency.

coordinated response to a crisis. Clear and concise communication can streamline information sharing and coordination efforts. – Manage legal and ethical risks: By following es tablished protocols and guidelines, executives can minimize the agency’s legal liability. Opportunity for organizational learning The conclusion of an inmate escape, such as a recap ture, should not be the end: correctional leaders should conduct after-action reviews, not only of the response to the incident, but with specific focus on the public communication efforts. Organizations often have a short-sighted view of things, often because of the natural inclination to keep up with the daily workload. However, for long-term organizational and leadership success, taking time to learn, grow and improve is essential to moving forward. The After-Action Review (AAR) and Lessons Learned process is nothing new; if you or your staff served in the military, you may be familiar with the U.S. Army’s Center for Lessons Learned, which serves as a clearinghouse and internal think tank, collecting and analyzing AARs from every unit in the Army, validating them, raising systemic issues to senior leaders and help ing to advise those leaders on changes to policy, training and operations. 12 Correctional executives can employ the same process and mentality to learn, reflect and imple ment needed changes. Following an escape incident’s end, particularly while memories are fresh, bringing together personnel (often with an outside facilitator) and asking four simple ques tions can provide a wealth of perspectives and ideas to improve crisis communication: – What went well. – What did not go as planned. – What could be improved. – What actions the agency needs to take. Reviewing, and if necessary, updating the crisis communication plan is a must-do after every incident. Publications such as the National Institute of Cor rections Guide to Preparing for and Responding to Jail Emergencies , can also be a useful tool for many crisis communication and emergency response issues. 13

– Protect the safety of staff and inmates: Effective communication can help prevent panic and ensure a

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