Corrections_Today_March_April_2021_Vol.83_No.2

Military Correctional Officer Awards p. 24

Welcome Tony C. Parker — ACA’s 107 th President!

Today Corrections March/April 2021

In Her Sight

Women of Corrections on their paths, their jobs and advice p. 26

News&Views AND more

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American Correctional Association Corrections Today March/April 2021 Vol. 83, No. 2

Features

24

Military Corrections Committee Recognizes Correctional Officers of the Year By Jim Adams

18 Getting back to the basics of

self-perception and professionalism By Juanita M. Brunson-Alonso, Ph.D., CJM

26

In her sight Women of corrections on their paths, their jobs and advice By Grace Gibson

On the cover: Officer Janet Norwood-Smith representing the Western Virginia Regional Jail at the 2019 Wreath Laying Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Photo courtesy Ellis Williams, AV Specialist, Photographer

2 — March/April 2021 Corrections Today

Chapters and affiliates

Alabama Council on Crime and Delinquency—Albany Criminal Justice Association—Alston Wilkes Society—American Catholic Correctional Ministries—American Correctional Health Services Association—American Institute of Architects—American Jail Association—American Probation and Parole Association—Appalachian State University Student Chapter— Arizona Probation, Parole and Corrections Association—Arizona State University ACA Student Chapter—Association for Correctional Research and Information Management—Association of Correctional Food Service Affiliates—Association of Paroling Authorities International—Association of State Correctional Administrators—Association of Programs for Female Offenders—Association of Women Executives in Corrections—Bellmont High School Student Chapter—Brown Mackie College ACA Student Chapter— California Probation, Parole and Correctional Association—Caribbean Correctional Association—Champlain Valley Educational Services— Clayton State University Justice Society—Colorado Criminal Justice Association—Columbia-Greene Community College—Criminal Justice Club Student Chapter—Concordia University Sociology of Law & Justice Club—Connecticut Criminal Justice Association—Correctional Accreditation Managers Association—Correctional Association of Massachusetts— Correctional Education Association—Correctional Healthcare Providers of the United States—Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators—District of Columbia Criminal Justice Association—Eastern Kentucky University Corrections and Juvenile Justice Student Association—Family and Corrections Network—Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency—Harrison College Criminal Justice Association Student Chapter—Hawaii Criminal Justice Association—Historical Association for Corrections—Illinois Correctional Association—Indiana Criminal Justice Association—Integrated Correctional Association of the Philippines (ICAP) Inc.—International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology—International Association of Correctional Training Personnel—International Correctional Arts Network—International Corrections and Prisons Association— International Community Corrections Association—Iowa Corrections Association—Jamaica Federation of Corrections—ITT-Technical Institute ACA Student Chapter—Ivy Tech Community College Terre Haute Branch ACA Student Chapter—Juvenile Justice Trainers Association—Kansas Correctional Association—Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency

Inc.—Louisiana Correctional Association—Martin University Student Chapter—Maryland Criminal Justice Association—Michigan Corrections Association—Middle Atlantic States Correctional Association—Minnesota Corrections Association—Missouri Corrections Association—Missouri Western University Student Chapter—Moraine Park Technical College Corrections Club—National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice— National Association of Correctional Record Administrators and Supervisors—National Association of Juvenile Correctional Agencies— National Association of Probation Executives—National Association of Adult and Juvenile State Corrections Mental Health Directors—National Correctional Industries Association Inc.—National Council on Crime and Delinquency—National Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators— National Juvenile Detention Association—National Major Gang Task Force— National Organization of Hispanics in Criminal Justice—National Partnership for Juvenile Services—Nebraska Correctional Association—Nevada Corrections Association—New Jersey Chapter Association—New Mexico Criminal Justice Association—New York Corrections and Youth Services Association—North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents— North Carolina Correctional Association—Northern Illinois University Academic Justice Association—Ohio Correctional and Court Services Association—Oklahoma Correctional Association—Oregon Criminal Justice Association—Parole and Probation Compact Administrators Association— Pennsylvania Association of Probation, Parole and Corrections—Pierce College Criminal Justice Club—Prison Fellowship—Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Association—Richmond Community College Student Chapter—St. Augustine’s College ACA Student Chapter— Salvation Army—South Carolina Correctional Association—Southern States Correctional Association—State University of New York–Albany—Tennessee Corrections Association—Texas Corrections Association—University of Central Missouri Student Chapter—University of Illinois/Chicago Criminal Justice Society—Utah Correctional Association—Virginia Correctional Association—Volunteers of America Inc.—Washburn University ACA Student Chapter—Washington Correctional Association—Western Illinois University Corrections Club—Western Correctional Association—Westwood College Angels—Wisconsin Correctional Association—WITC New Richmond Criminal Justice Club—Wyoming Correctional Association

OFFICERS President Tony C. Parker, Tennessee Immediate Past President

Gary C. Mohr, Ohio Vice President Tony M. Wilkes, Tennessee President-Elect Denise M. Robinson, Ohio Treasurer Harbans S. Deol, Nebraska Board of Governors Representatives Elizabeth F. “Beth” Arthur Derrick D. Schofield, Ph.D. Secretary James A. Gondles Jr., CAE, Virginia EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF James A. Gondles Jr., CAE Managing Editor Floyd Nelson GRAPHICS AND PRODUCTION STAFF Graphic Designer Carla DeCarlo ADVERTISING AND MARKETING STAFF Director, Conventions, Advertising and Corporate Relations Kelli McAfee Production Coordinator Mary Misisco ACA Executive Office and Directors Executive Director James A. Gondles Jr., CAE Deputy Executive Director Jeffrey Washington Executive Office Director Debbi Seeger senior executive Assistant India Vargas

Article and photo submissions: Managing Editor, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314; email submissions@aca.org. Articles must be in Microsoft Word. Please include all contact information. Unless expressly requested in writing, all photos and artwork submitted become the property of ACA and may be used in future ACA publications. Articles and photos will not be returned unless expressly requested by author. Microfilm: Corrections Today is available for electronic reproduction through ProQuest Information and Learning Co., 300 N. Zeeb Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346; 313-761-4700.

Connect with us online

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Advertising inquiries: Production coordinator, 800-222-5646 ext. 0019. Written inquiries should be mailed to 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Statements contained in Corrections Today are the personal views of the authors and do not constitute ACA policy unless so indicated. ACA does not assume responsibility for the content of Corrections Today as submitted by contributors, reserves the right to edit all articles and, if necessary, condense them. The publication of any advertisement by ACA is neither an endorsement of the advertiser nor of the products or services advertised. ACA is not responsible for any claims made in advertisements. Mission statement: The American Correctional Association provides a professional organization for all individuals and groups, both public and private, that share a common goal of improving the justice system. Corrections Today ( ISSN 0190-2563, USPS 019-640) is published six times a year in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/ December by the American Correctional Association, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-224-0000. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA 22314 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Corrections Today, Attn: Membership Department, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. Subscriptions are included in annual membership dues. Nonmember subscription rates are $25 per year for Corrections Today ($36 value) or $6 per issue. Send change of address notice and a recent mailing label to Membership and Customer Service Department, ACA, 60 days before the actual change of address. ACA will not replace undelivered copies resulting from an address change. Printed in USA. Vol. 83, No. 2. Copyright 2021 by the American Correctional Association.

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Communications and Publications Director Floyd Nelson

Conventions, Advertising and Corporate Relations Director Kelli McAfee Financial Services and Human Resources Director Hok Gao, MBA, CPA, SHRM-SCP Membership and Customer Service Director Roberta Gibson International Initiatives Director Elizabeth Gondles, Ph.D. — Senior Director Office of Correctional Health Director Elizabeth Gondles, Ph.D. — Senior Director Mike Miskell, MPH, CHES ® — Director Standards and Accreditation Director David Haasenritter Professional Development Director Elizabeth Gondles, Ph.D. — Senior Director Doreen Efeti, MPH, MBA, MCHES ® , DHSc — Director Acting Information Technology Director Hok Gao, MBA, CPA, SHRM-SCP

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Corrections Today March/April 2021 — 3

News&Views

6

From Jim’s Desk

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8 Tony C. Parker, ACA President 9 Gary C. Mohr, ACA Immediate Past President 10 Correctional Chaplain Perspectives 14 NIJ Update

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33 ACA Featured Departments

Welcome New Members

34

14

Milestone Anniversaries

36

Certification List

42

The American Correctional Association is fully engaged in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. ACA has taken the lead to provide its members around the world with vital information geared to protecting the health and safety of correctional pro- fessionals everywhere. From webinars, produced by ACA’s Office of Correctional Health, to the latest information that focuses on managing the stress of uncertainty by taking care of you, ACA’s response has been intelligent, knowledgeable and thorough. In an unprecedented display of servant-leadership, ACA has brought together its sponsors, supporters and other correctional organizations to give valua- ble and much needed resources to those who need it at no charge. To stay abreast of this “emerging, rapidly evolving situation,” we encourage you to visit the ACA website regularly. There you will find online COVID-19 resources, important information, messages from our leadership and ACA’s “Wall of Honor” which lists chronologically our correctional heroes who gave their last full measure in fighting this insidious virus.

2021 Winter Conference Sneak Peek

44

National Correctional Officers and Employees Week Celebrating Greatness — Award Nominations Forms

46

52

Certification Spotlight

60

62 Corrections Calendar 64 Index to Advertisers/ Product Index

4 — March/April 2021 Corrections Today

The Wall of Honor

A dedication to the corrections professionals who gave their last full measure.

When the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic struck, lives were upended every- where. Some lives were lost and, unfortunately, the loss of life continues to rise daily. Most of us know that it is the “first responders” to whom we owe an unpayable debt. And among those brave individuals, standing front and center, are the proud men and women of corrections. It is with heavy hearts that we join grief-stricken families and loved ones to express our heartfelt sympathies for those who have died be- cause of this insidious virus. Visit www.aca,org to view the most current list of names of the corrections professionals who gave their last full measure.

Visit www.aca.org and click on the “Wall of Honor” spotlight link.

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From Jim’s Desk nEWS&vIEWS

ACA’s 106 th President

W hen one ACA President’s term is concluding and another one’s is begin- ning, it becomes bitter sweet for me as Executive Director. I hate to see the current President leave, but I’m excited for the new one coming in. So as I write this Gary Mohr is about to end his two year term as our President and Tony Parker is about to begin his term. I realize we are all pretty tired of “the new normal” of being “shut in” and “staying safe” ... at least I am. And except for our 2020 Winter Conference in San Diego, we have faced those “new normals” during the entire term of our 106 th President, Gary Mohr. I’ve stated many times that Gary was “cheated” out of a traditional presidency. He virtually (another term used a lot today) did not enjoy the presidency like Dr. Linthicum or Chuck Kehoe or Judge Wooten did. He did not speak at chapter and affiliate meetings, he did not travel to ICPA meetings over seas, he did not speak at our 150 th Anniversary Congress of Correction in his native state of Ohio, he did not conduct face-to-face Execu- tive Committee, Board of Governors,

and Delegate Assembly meetings. And just as importantly, he did not get a chance to implement policies, resolu- tions, expected practices (standards), and other programs that past presidents have done. The new normal for Gary Mohr was abnormal. His Presidency was one of being on a screen, a tele- phone, a text, or an email. But his Presidency was a life boat for ACA. He stood steadfast in supporting all the ACA full and part time employees in doing whatever, whenever, and however they could in keeping ACA alive. Many many weeks passed by where Gary and I were on the phone daily, many days several times a day and most weekends too. Texts to each other night and day. Decisions about contracts with cities, hotels, convention services, association services, businesses involving ACA, financial health of ACA, directions for meetings, and other such items were a constant subject that I re- quested Gary to know about, or have a hand in, or advise me on what he thought was the correct way to go. In every instant that I called him, he made himself available to talk. And

in every instant he was supportive or willing to give me advice. Sure, that’s what Presidents of ACA are supposed to do, you might say. But this presidential term was different, none of ACA’s elected and appointed leadership were together except by electronic methods. It was as if Gary’s presidency was in a vacuum that could not be opened. Allow me the privilege of saying I feel badly for Gary and Linda Mohr on one hand, but on an- other hand I’m grateful that the Mohr’s were here when they were. Linda (Gary’s wife) lived through Gary being available day and night for ACA and I thank her for her unlimited support. Yes there’s never been an ACA Presidency like Gary Mohr’s. Our members and Betty and I are grateful for Gary’s steadfast rock solid leader- ship. Stay safe in this “new normal”. I’ll end with a statement Gary Mohr often makes ... “It’s a great day to be alive!” Thank you Mr. Mohr!

James A. Gondles Jr., CAE ACA Executive Director

6 — March/April 2021 Corrections Today

Nashville Coming Soon!

151 st Congress of Correction • Aug. 12–17, 2021*

*Tentative dates; subject to change.

Pathfinder > Outline

AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200 • Alexandria, VA 22314 • www.aca.org

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nEWS&vIEWS

Tony C. Parker ACA 107 th President The Future Awaits

Complete speeches can be found online at www.aca.org

Below is an excerpt of Mr. Parker’s ACA Virtual Winter Conference Presidential speech at the Closing Session. To view the speech in its entirety, please visit the ACA website at www.aca.org. I recognize that over the last year, we have all been through one of the most challeng- ing times of our lives. But today, I want to about the courage and the strength that I have witnessed during this period. The word ‘hero’ can take on different meanings for different people. The diction- ary definition of a hero describes a legendary figure of great strength or ability, an outstanding warrior or soldier, a person admired for achievements and qualities, or one that shows great courage. Whatever definition you prefer, any one of them can be used to describe our heroic correctional professionals. Ladies and gentlemen, our front- line Correctional Officers, Health Care Workers, Counselors, Teachers, Food Service workers, all support staff and others who have continued to deliver on the mission of correc- tions, are all true heroes in every sense of the word; and that includes our corporate and private partners

who stood beside us along the way. It is safe to say that anyone who has worked in corrections understands that it takes all of us working togeth- er to deliver on our mission. Some of the most uplifting and sobering moments I’ve experienced over the last year happened as I looked around many of our cities where businesses were closed, streets were bare, and people were quaran- tined inside their homes. But in our prisons, jails, detention facilities and community corrections our faithful employees continued to show up and provide the public service that our nation depends on. Let me be clear, we must all recognize that the heroes of correc- tions are those we call ‘boots on the ground.’ They work in our facilities, our jails, probation/parole offices, detention facilities, juvenile centers. They show up even during a global pandemic and social unrest. They perform the often-thankless work of public safety because that’s what true heroes do. I am reminded of Theodore Roosevelt’s speech, “The Man in the Arena” when I think of our correc- tional family:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is not ef- fort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthu- siasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” To each of you whose face is marred with dust, sweat and blood, THANK YOU for being our heroes!

Tony C. Parker ACA President

8 — March/April 2021 Corrections Today

Guest Editorial

Farewell

Gary C. Mohr ACA 106 th Immediate Past President

Below are excerpts from Mr. Mohr’s ACA Virtual Winter Conference Presidential Address and Closing Session speeches. To view the speeches in their entirety, please visit the ACA website at www.aca.org. I t’s a great day to be alive.” As you have observed over time including today, I open every speech with this phrase. In this song, the first four lines are, “Its a great day to be alive, the sun’s still shining as I close my eyes. There are hard times in our neighborhoods. Why can’t every day be just this good.” I don’t need to remind you of those hard times in our neighbor- hoods, our places of work and in our families and homes. The American Correctional Association and its Wall of Honor containing names of over 200 of our colleagues that have suc- cumbed to this awful and consuming pandemic is a prime example. Additionally, we are faced with unprecedented budget challenges that not only impact our services and programs provided to those under our supervision but also directly touch the well-being and way of life for our staff. It has been said that the truest test of a person or organiza- tion’s character is how they handle

adversity. The professionals that make up the American Correctional Association have faced adversity and made tomorrow a better place for those we touch ... ... In my comments during the General Session, I spoke of hope and emphasized that hope is always looking into our future. I believe that should be our focus as the American Correctional Association and in our own lives. It is a worthy calling to be dedicated to public service, particularly members of our public who live in the shadows, a term taken Governor John Kasich. In thinking about those we work to serve, we are reminded that God created us all and we are more alike than different. But how did each of us get to this point in our careers and our lives? That requires a look back. Without question many others have lifted us up early in our professional endeavors and during our greatest challenges. I am asking for each of us today, to remember one or more of those people in our lives that we owe so much. As the last act of my presidency, I am asking, actually calling on

each of you to do one thing. I would like you to consider handwriting a personal note affirming the impact that special person has had on your life, or your career. Given some of our ages, some of those most special people may have passed from this earth. If that is the case, please send your note to their spouse or children and let them know how you feel. For those still with us, please send them your personal note. Just like they lifted you up at a critical time in your life, this can bring a smile or even a tear to a deserving person or a loved one. This is not a task I will ask you to perform and for me to ignore. May God bless you and your family and our great organization, the American Correctional Associa- tion, and may each of you find many smiles. It has been my pleasure to serve as your 106 th president these last two years.

“

Gary C. Mohr ACA Immediate Past President

Corrections Today March/April 2021 — 9

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Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

Be Still By Ronald G. Turner, Ph.D.

Be still, and know that I am God. 1 Peace I leav e with you; my peace I giv e you. 2

M ost prison chaplains could write a book on multi- tasking. Anyone who has spent time in a chaplain’s office knows how hectic it can get. From taking emergency phone calls to scheduling volunteer activities, there is never a dull moment. It is no won- der most chaplains find little time to be still. Some chaplains may steal a few minutes to be still during prayer time early in the morning or late at night, but once they get to the office it is the last thing they have time to think about. Ironically, it may be the thing they need the most, especially in the era of COVID. A Walk at Radnor Lake I got a glimpse into the impor- tance of stillness about a year ago when I was walking with an old friend at Radnor Lake State Park, located within Nashville. Radnor is a beautiful 1,300-acre wooded area surrounding a peaceful lake. We were laughing and catching up on things when I suddenly heard a soft bell ringing. My friend stopped, took out his water bottle, and had a sip.

istock/luza studios

Buddhist monks in orange robes did sitting for hours with their legs crossed. He was just standing there. And I definitely knew he was no monk! He told me about a website 4 on meditation he had found several months before and that he had been meditating ever since. After a few minutes we went on our way.

I asked why we were stopping so soon and he said he was meditating. Using an app he had downloaded, 3 he had set a bell on his phone to remind him to stop and meditate every hour. I thought he was kid- ding. He was the last person I would have expected to be meditating. I thought meditation was something

10 — March/April 2021 Corrections Today

Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

A few days later, I looked at the website and learned how mis- taken I had been about meditation. I learned that meditation is not just for Buddhist monks. People of all faiths meditate. 5 I learned you can meditate sitting down, standing up, walking, you name it. I learned you do not have to meditate for hours at a time. Meditating a few minutes every day can relax you more than meditating an hour once or twice a week. I learned that meditation is not a substitute for prayer but it can supplement prayer. I learned that meditation is not some mystical, complicated process. It is actually pretty easy when you relax and do not try too hard. And I learned three of the key components of meditation are mind- fulness, presence, and compassion. Mindfulness Have you ever been doing some- thing and suddenly realized two hours had passed? Maybe you were woodworking, or having coffee with a friend, or writing a sermon. Whatever it was, the time flew by. Without consciously trying you had experienced “mindfulness.” You were focusing completely on what you were doing. But if you had tried to be mindful, it probably would not have happened. It’s like being told not to think about a purple cat. Good luck with that one — now that cat is almost impossible to get out of your mind. But it can happen by using mindfulness. Here’s an example. The next time you drink a cup of coffee try sitting down in a quiet place with no distractions. Take a deep breath and relax. Feel the heat of the cup or

mug. Look at the dark color. Smell the aroma. Take a small sip and re- ally taste it before you swallow it. You may be amazed at how much better the coffee tastes and how much more you are enjoying it than your normal rushed cup of coffee at your desk. You have just experienced mindful coffee drinking. And you did it on purpose. By mindfully focusing on the present, you can be free from the past and the future wherever you are, even in a prison cell. Presence I have always been fascinated by time. On one hand the past, the pres- ent and the future are all we have. On the other hand, the past is gone and the future is not here, so all we have is the present. But if the present is all we have, why do we spend so much time regretting the past (and its mistakes) or dreaming about the future (and that new truck that will bring us happiness)? One goal of meditation is to free us from the past and the future and to help us be where we are right now — in the present. The next time you are alone, try sitting quietly for

a minute and listening. If you are outside you may hear birds chirping or a dog barking. If you are inside you may smell dinner cooking or hear the voice of someone you love talking on the phone. These miracles and wonders were all around you but you had failed to notice them. By mindfully focusing on the present, you can be free from the past and the future wherever you are, even in a prison cell. 6 Compassion Many prison chaplains see or experience anger and fear on a daily basis. It is impossible to work in a prison environment without an inmate or staff member feeling angry or afraid from time to time. A goal of meditation is to help deal with these strong feelings. If we stuff them deep inside, they will fester sometimes for years and come out when we least want them to appear. The next time you find anger growing inside yourself, try this: Stay quiet and take a breath. Picture your anger as a baby crying for help. Think to yourself “Hello my little anger. I see you. I will take care of you.” 7 See yourself picking up the baby and holding it gently in your arms. Then look closely at the person who is making you angry and remember they are also angry (and probably afraid). Remember you are in control of how you react to them. You are not their victim. As a staff member, you may be required to call for assistance and have them restrained, but do it calmly and professionally. Do not raise your voice. Do not return anger for anger. You may be surprised at how this helps calm the situation and them. And you. →

Corrections Today March/April 2021 — 11

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What Works for Me

Conclusion Prison is a hard place to work and to live. Whether you are a staff mem- ber or an inmate, the noise and stress level can get intense even in the best of prisons. Meditation is not a magic bullet that will eliminate the noise and stress, but it can be a step in the right direction. I encourage you to try it. Start at home by yourself a little bit at a time. Later introduce it to a few inmates and staff in your institu- tion. What do you have to lose? Or better yet, what do you have to gain? Maybe some stillness. And peace. 5 Rakicevic, Mira. February 2, 2020. 27 Meditation statistics that you should be aware of. Downloaded from www.disturbmenot.com on December 22, 2020. 6 Hanh, Thich Nhat. 2002. Be free where you are. Berkley, CA: Parallel Press. 7 Hanh, Thich Nhat. Mindfulness of (Painful) Feelings . Downloaded from www.plumvillage.org (Talks/Short Teachings) on December 21, 2020. Other Resources Hanh, Thich Nhat. 1991. Peace is every step: the path of mindfulness in everyday life . New York, NY: Bantam Books. Harari, Yuval Noah. 2018. 21 Lessons for the 21 st Century (Chapter 21, Meditation). New York, NY and London: Spiegel & Grau, Jonathan Cape. Muesse, Mark W. Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad . www.thegreatcourses.com Course No. 6380. Since retiring in 2013 as the Director of Religious and Volunteer Services for the Tennessee Department of Correction, Dr. Turner has published several articles and led presentations in 15 states on inmates’ religious rights. He is an adjunct instructor at Tennessee Technological University. Endnotes 1 Psalm 46:10. (NIV) 2 John 14:27. (NIV) 3 Plum Village (free app) 4 www.plumvillage.org

Mark Your Calendars! Join us for future ACA Winter Conferences and Congresses of Correction! 151 st Congress of Correction Nashville Aug. 12–17, 2021 (Tentative dates; subject to change.) 2022 Winter Conference Phoenix Jan. 6–11, 2022 152 nd Congress of Correction New Orleans Aug. 4–9, 2022 2023 Winter Conference Orlando, FL Jan. 26–31, 2023

There is no single way to meditate. You can do it anywhere, anytime. Just be comfortable and do what works for you. I have learned the following works for me: 1. Sit down in a quiet place with both feet on the floor. 2. Relax but sit up straight. 3. Put your hands in your lap or your arms on the arm rests. 4. Close your eyes. 5. Notice your breath coming in and going out as your belly rises and falls.

What do you have to lose? Or better yet, what do you have to gain? Maybe some stillness. And peace.

6. If thoughts come into your head do not get upset. Gently go back to your breathing. [I like to listen to a tape guiding me thorough the meditation. If I do not remember the last thing said on the tape, I know my mind is wandering and I refocus on the words I am hearing.] 7. End by opening your eyes and noticing the colors and sounds around you.

12 — March/April 2021 Corrections Today

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nEWS&vIEWS

NIJ Update

The Importance of Addressing Organizational Stress Among Corrections Officers Eric Martin, Social Science Analyst, National Institute of Justice

The urgent need to address the impact of organizational stress on staff has begun to gain traction in corrections and other justice system sectors. In the law enforcement com- munity, for example, practitioners have advocated in favor of the devel- opment of officer skills to mitigate the stress of toxic office politics. 2 Recent research supported by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) suggests a similar movement exists in the corrections environment. Emerging Recognition of Agency Relationships as Major Source of Corrections Staff Stress Research conducted by North- eastern University found that organizational stress among cor- rections officers, particularly in relationships between supervisors and front-line officers, along with long shifts or mandatory overtime, substantially contributed to a high- stress work environment that can interfere with a positive work-life balance. 3

istock/mevans

Authors’ Note: Findings and conclu- sions reported in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. S upervising inmates in prisons or jails is a pressure-packed profession. One might assume that the strain is primarily a func- tion of correctional officers’ acute episodic and traumatic interactions with inmates, including frequent

emergencies. Another significant and often-overlooked source of staff stress, however, is organiza- tional stress driven by dysfunctional relationships within the agency and an unhealthy overall professional climate. Interpersonal conflicts and lack of trust between supervisory and line staff, coupled with long shifts exacerbated by a lack of ad- equate staffing, may be particularly debilitating. 1

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NIJ Update

NIJ-Funded Projects What follows is a summary of the research awards made under this solicitation. Three of the awards specifically address correctional agencies and officers, while the fourth award supports a study of law enforcement officers and correctional sheriff deputies. The research proj- ects will begin in January 2021, with the majority of findings expected in two to three years. Impact of Organizational Stress on Officer Wellness and Perceptions of Stress The first project, conducted by the Police Foundation, will assess the prevalence and impact of organiza- tional stress among law enforcement and correctional deputies in sheriffs’ offices. The project is designed to connect our understanding of orga- nizational stress across policing and corrections. The research team plans to recruit 60 police officers and 60 correctional deputies to complete questionnaires on stress, maintain sleep and activity logs, and wear a device that will capture heart rate variability, resting heart rate, physical activity, and sleep quality. The Police Foundation will also use agency-level data to capture shifts, assignments, ab- sences, and overall job performance. The research is expected to shed light on how organizational stress affects officers’ overall wellness and percep - tions of stress, and how those factors influence effectiveness on the job. Isolating the Impact of Organizational Stress Apart From Work-Related Stress This project will study or- ganizational stress affecting

Although the sources of organi- zational stress can be entrenched in an environment and can be difficult to overcome, it may be possible to mitigate these stressors through changes in policy. In light of the pandemic, and the waves of related occupational and personal stress, it has become particularly critical for correctional agencies to understand the sources of organizational stress- ors within their agencies so they can develop tools to address them reliably. The research suggests that organizational stress may be one of the only sources of stress these agencies can control. It is much harder to mitigate the operational stress arising from the very nature of a job. 4 NIJ seeks to provide assis- tance for both understanding the prevalence of these stressors and developing solutions to them. In fis - cal year 2020, NIJ issued a research solicitation supporting its Safety, Health, and Wellness portfolio that specifically addresses this issue. The portfolio facilitates research on the safety and wellness of staff in the entire criminal justice system, both police and correctional officers, as well as individuals involved with the system. Past research from this portfolio has focused on trauma and the chronic, debilitating stress brought on by traumatic events, such as PTSD. In light of concerns expressed by correctional officers about their job stress, NIJ recognized the impor- tance of organizational sources of stress that have been under-re- searched. 5 The Institute’s fiscal year 2020 solicitation requested research on the prevalence of organizational

stressors in police and corrections agencies, as well as strategies to mitigate them. These stressors include interpersonal conflict, a toxic work environment, mandatory overtime and fluctuating shifts, and a lack of control over one’s work environment. A primary goal of the research is to gain a clearer picture of the problems these stressors pose for line staff officers and how to limit their impact.

The research suggests that organizational

stress may be one of the only sources of stress these agencies can control. The strong response to NIJ’s solicitation from the research com- munity, along with the willingness of many correctional agencies to collaborate with researchers despite current operational challenges, underscores the vital importance of this topic for correctional officers. Given substantial interest within the field, NIJ was able to make three research awards that are expected to advance the study of organizational stressors in corrections agencies and one award that will advance the study of organizational stressors in sheriffs’ offices.

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nEWS&vIEWS

correctional officers in the Califor - nia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. This two-part study, conducted by the National Disease Research Interchange, will first sur - vey over 8,000 correctional officers and conduct in-depth interviews of 40 officers from all ranks to identify the most significant organizational stressors. Once the researchers identify the sources of stress, it will use the Total Worker Health toolkit, developed by the National Insti- tute for Occupational Safety and Health, to work with correctional officers, leadership, and members of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association to establish facility-specific policies to mitigate organizational stressors. Correctional agencies have a growing number of options that allow them to be more supportive of officers, to promote a work-life balance, and to improve the overall quality of life for correctional officers.

istock/Fokusiert

Resiliency Promoted by Correctional Officer Social Networks This research project also will attempt to isolate the stress associ- ated with organizational factors from the anxiety associated with the nature of the job. Northeastern University will randomly select 375 new correctional officers graduating from the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Correction’s academies and follow them through their first five years on the job. Through repeated interviews, the researchers will try to distinguish operational and organi- zational stressors from exposure to traumatic incidents. These interviews will also try to establish the role of correctional officers’ social networks in coping with stress, and how these networks change while an officer is on the job. This work will build on critical findings from a recently con - cluded Northeastern University study (mentioned above), which revealed that the social networks and support systems for correctional officers are particularly important to their overall

health and well-being. Those find - ings were an element of the study’s broader subject, correctional officer suicides. Environmental Stress Associated With Working in Restrictive Housing One source of organizational stress is shift duration and type of assignment. Oregon Health and Science University, through ongo- ing NIJ-funded research, is seeking to establish the link between work environment and stress. 6 NIJ has funded a new project for the uni- versity to explore ways to mitigate these organizational stressors among correctional officers in a particularly high-stress environment: restrictive housing. This research will evaluate the implementation of a mindfulness and group-learning intervention using the Total Worker Health toolkit. The researchers plan to enroll over 100 participants in 12 sessions that will feature a training video as well as group discussions designed to gauge current officer organizational stress

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NIJ Update

3 Frost, N., Monteiro, N.C., and Stowell, J. (2020). The Impact of Correctional Officer Suicide on the Institutional Environment and on the Wellbeing of Correctional Employees . Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. See also Liberman, A. et al. (2002). “Routine Occupational Stress and Psychological Distress in Police,” Policing: An Internal Journal of Police Strategies & Management 25(2): 421-439. 4 See Pope, L. and Bibiana, J. (2019). A Sentinel Events Approach to Jail Suicide and Self-Harm . Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. Although there are some inherently stressful and traumatic aspects of the correctional officer’s job, there are strategies and practices to mitigate this source of stress as well. Addressing inmate self-harm is obviously critical to protecting the mental and physical health of inmates, but it also improves the operating environment for both staff and inmates. 5 Based on discussions at an NIJ-hosted panel at the American Correctional Association annual meeting, August 2019. 6 National Institute of Justice fiscal year 2017 award to Oregon Health and Science University (2017- R2-CX-0036): “Defining the Impact of Stress and Traumatic Events on Corrections Officers.”

levels and work to overcome them. This promising program is officer- led, and the sessions are short enough to occur at the start of each shift.

a growing number of options that allow them to be more supportive of officers, to promote a work-life balance, and to improve the over- all quality of life for correctional officers. Importantly, it seems clear that many agencies are willing to put in the hard work to improve officer health and wellness. Endnotes 1 See Johnson, R. (2015). “Police Organizational Commitment: The Influence of Supervisor Feedback and Support,” Crime and Delinquency 61: 1155-1180; and Maguen, S. et al. (2009). “Routine Work Environment Stress and PTSD Symptoms in Police Officers,” Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 197(10): 754 -760. 2 Gove, T. (2011). “Perspective: Strategies for Curbing Organizational Politics.” Law Enforcement Bulletin . Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Conclusion

The new NIJ-supported re- search will give correctional and law enforcement policymakers and practitioners a better understanding of how the internal characteristics of their agencies, coupled with the normal demands of an officer’s job, can place extreme stress on officers. NIJ is encouraged by the high level of interest from researchers and their agency partners in finding strategies to reduce and mitigate these sources of stress. Correctional agencies have

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n Self-Perception

Getting back to the basics of self-perception and professionalism By Juanita M. Brunson-Alonso, Ph.D., CJM

18 — March/April 2021 Corrections Today

W hen employees perceive themselves more positively, due to their exposure to training and education, their job performance excels. The work product is completed efficiently and more effectively. As the corrections industry continues to strive for continued growth in professionalism; the position of corrections officer is not just for those who feel they cannot make it in other professions. Sundt, J.L. (2009) mentioned in research, “historically correctional work was viewed as a job of last resort, usually taken after previous job failures or failure in the military.” In James Allen’s 1903 self-help book “As a Man Thin- keth” (and later revised by Arthur R. Pell, Ph.D. in 2008), the foundation is laid upon the premise that each person, in their own thoughts, hold the key to every condition in their life; whether it is a good or bad condition. Each person has the ability to transform their circumstances with patience and intelligence. This transformation may involve the assistance of the organization’s reaction to public opinion, as well as the self-assessment and actions of the employee. Overall, the criminal justice industry is, and always has been, concerned with the public’s perception. Sundt (2009) specifically examined three questions pertaining to the public’s perception: 1) To what extent does the public support prison ex- pansion for the purpose of economic growth? 2) Are members of the public willing to take a job as a correctional officer and what do they see as the most and least attractive features of this work? And finally, 3) What factors influence perceptions of job quality and support for prison expansion? But what about the perceptions of the staff about the criminal justice industry, and more specifically, about themselves? What about the impact self-perception and self-esteem have on the positions held and the impact on the corrections industry? Alavi & Askaripur (2003) found there is a relationship between self-esteem and job satis- faction, as well as other elements within the organization. These elements include employee motivation, job perfor- mance and turnover rates. In most, if not all industries, the majority of allot- ted budgets are used for employee salaries and fringe benefits. In the 2017 and 2018 Training Industry Report,

overall organizations spent 11% of their budget on learn- ing tools and technologies. A review of literature by researchers Asfaw, Argaw, & Bayissa (2015), revealed that in order to be able to sustain effective performance it is important to optimize the contribution of employees to the aims and goals of the organization. The importance of training as a central role of management has been rec- ognized by research studies.” It has been confirmed that training and development activities in which employees had participated brings new potential of employees in performing task and resulted in employee effectiveness (Asfaw et al., 2015).

“The organization-based self-esteem is related to job satisfaction, organizational commitment, motivation, citizenship behavior, in-role performance, and turnover intentions, as well as other important organization-related attitudes and behaviors.”

It has been suggested that self-esteem built around the workplace and experience gained in the organiza- tion where the individual is working has a significant role in shaping the motivation of employees (Pierce & Gardner, 2004). These researchers also stated, “the organization-based self-esteem is related to job satisfac- tion, organizational commitment, motivation, citizenship behavior, in-role performance, and turnover intentions, as well as other important organization-related attitudes and behaviors.” Now more than ever before we see criminal justice degrees being offered in colleges and universities. There is existing research that found students seek criminal justice degrees because they find the “subject matter

Illustration opposite page: scale: istock/wildpixel; cloud: istock/ptasha

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