Corrections_Today_May_June_2020_Vol.82_No.3

Winter Conference Recap p. 64

Today Corrections May/June 2020

Stress of Uncertainty COVID-19 p. 8

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American Correctional Association Corrections Today May/June 2020 Vol. 82, No. 3

Features

34 ACA celebrates

historic international accreditations in a historic year By Floyd Nelson

38 Correctional Composting An ambitious goal By Lois Fegan, Carolyn LeaMond, and Max Thoreson 44 Council in Session How the Center for Council teaches inmates empathy, authenticity and accountability By Alexander Carrigan 54 Trauma Informed Principles in Correctional Care

Special COVID-19 Section Starts on Page 5

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The Psychology of COVID-19 How to manage your

mental health and take back control By Dean Aufderheide, Ph.D. and Elizabeth Gondles, Ph.D.

Understanding gender differences By Randy Shively, Ph.D. and Linda Janes

On the cover: The butterflies have dual meanings. When a small, initial cause creates a large unpredictable effect, it is known as the “Butterfly Effect”. The butterflies also represent a symbol of endurance, hope and life for people around the world.

64

There is hope amid uncertainty. — Dean Aufderheide, Ph.D. and Elizabeth Gondles, Ph.D.

Conference Overview Escaping the cold at the ACA Winter Conference in San Diego By Alexander Carrigan and Skylar Mitchell

Cover illustration: istock/GDArts

2 — May/June 2020 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 Gary C. Mohr, Ohio Immediate Past President Lannette C. Linthicum, M.D., FACP, Texas Vice President Tony M. Wilkes, Tennessee President-Elect Tony C. Parker, Tennessee Treasurer Denise M. Robinson, Ohio 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

Associate Editor Alexander Carrigan Contributing Writer Skylar Mitchell GRAPHICS AND PRODUCTION STAFF Graphic Designer Carla DeCarlo Contributing Graphic Designer Jasmine Duran ADVERTISING AND MARKETING STAFF Director, Conventions, Advertising and Corporate Relations Kelli McAfee Production Coordinator Mary Misisco EPS/Printing Services MVP Press • Dulles, VA 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 Administrative Assistant Vincent Ryan

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.

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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. 82, No. 3. Copyright 2020 by the American Correctional Association.

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Communications and Publications Director Floyd Nelson

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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 Office of Correctional Health and International Initiatives Director Elizabeth Gondles, Ph.D. Standards and Accreditation Director David Haasenritter Acting Professional Development Director Doreen Efeti Acting Information Technology Director Hok Gao, MBA, CPA, SHRM-SCP

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Corrections Today May/June 2020 — 3

14 News&Views

From Jim’s Desk

14

Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

16

Juvenile Justice News

22

16

NIJ Update

28

103 ACA Featured Departments

Welcome New Members

104

Certification List

106

28

Bookshelf

108

Celebrating Greatness — Awards Nomination Forms

114

Professional Development Update

122

Certification Spotlight

124

Accreditation Byline

126

Corrections Calendar

134

Index to Advertisers/ Product Index

136

122

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 professionals everywhere. From webinars, produced by ACA’s Office of Correction- al 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 valuable 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 infor- mation, 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.

4 — May/June 2020 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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American Correctional Association Special Webinars

1245C 286C C=28,M=20,Y CoolGray8C

M A K I N G A D I F F E R E N C E A M E R I C A N C O R R E C T I O N A L A S S O C I A T I O N C O A L I T I O N O F C O R R E C T I O N A L H E A L T H A U T H O R I T I E S

Sponsored by The Coalition of Correctional Health Authorities (CCHA)

Coronavirus COVID-19: CORRECTIONS

ACA is committed to gathering the most current information regarding Coronavirus COVID-19 and is presenting it for free on our website. These include our ACA webinars on the pandemic and curated information from the CDC and other health organizations. These resources are available so those involved in corrections know how to react and prepare for a pandemic.

Visit www.aca.org to see all of our webinars and resources regarding COVID-19.

Click on the “Coronavirus COVID-19: Corrections” spotlight link.

Continuing Education Credits are available for webinars.

For more information, contact Amanda Miesner at amandam@aca.org or 703-224-0078.

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Dear Corrections Family: First and foremost, we hope this message find you well. There is no doubt we all are experiencing a crisis of the magnitude none of us could even imagine. We know you are overwhelmed by keeping yourself, family, colleagues, friends and community safe from COVID 19. We want you to know the American Correctional Association is here for you with continuing operations, albeit in different methods than normal. Though many of the ACA staff are working remotely, there is a core group of staff reporting to work each day and, on the job, to support you as best we can. There is not a day, an hour nor a minute that you are not on our minds. We wholeheartedly salute you for caring for those in your charge and for protecting our nation, risking your own health and safety in order to carry out your duties. No matter what your responsibility in this profession is, you’re making a difference. We thank you! Our nation and the world appreciates you and values what you do to keep our communities safe. There will come a time when we look back and can truly say “We made a difference and we did our part to keep staff and correctional population healthy, secure and keeping our communities safe. The ACA Officers and staff continue to hold you in our thoughts and our prayers for you and your family’s safety and look forward once again to be with everyone soon.

Gary C. Mohr

James Gondles Executive Director

President

Corrections Today May/June 2020 — 7

n COVID-19, mental health

The Psychology of COVID-19 How to manage your mental health and take back control

Visit www.aca.org and click on the “Coronavirus COVID-19: Corrections” spotlight link to watch the ACA webinar from March 30, 2020, “Managing the Stress of Uncertainty by Taking Care of You” .

By Dean Aufderheide, Ph.D. and Elizabeth Gondles, Ph.D.

8 — May/June 2020 Corrections Today

“The emotional brain responds more quickly to an event than the thinking brain.” — Daniel Goleman

W e are facing challenges today professionally and personally that we never even dreamed about. Though we read books and watched movies about pandemics that entertained us, knowing that after we finished the book and the movie was over, we were relieved and comforted that is was just a book or a movie and we would go on with our normal life. Little did we ever think that we all would be the main cast of characters living every day in the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reality is people are freaked out right now. We fear and worry about our own health and the health of our loved ones as we go to work and as our duty calls. Many of us are suppressing our emotions and fear while others are more verbal and sometimes even physical. When things are stressful and uncertain, we tend to react emotionally and assume the worst possible scenarios in our minds — My whole family is going to get sick. The economy will never recover. My world is coming to an end.  Folks are fearful and we are writing the playbook as events unfold. It’s a time of uncertainty and we don’t like it. We do not like it because uncertainty creates anxiety by letting the rational part of our brain be hijacked. Our brains are hardwired to react with fear and anxiety when it comes to dealing with uncertainty. A million years ago, that was a good thing. When we saw a stick, we thought snake. It helped us survive in a world filled with danger and uncertainty. But as the rational part of our brain developed, we learned to manage the stress of uncertainty and stop seeing every stick as a snake.

handle it that matters. There are things we can do to re- duce traumatic stress reactions. Always remember you are not alone. We can get back on track and manage the stress of uncertainty, maintain good mental health, and get back a sense of control in our lives. We start by understanding that feeling anxiety about COVID-19 is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. We start by recognizing we are not powerless, and we are in control of how we choose to respond. “It’s totally normal to be struggling with the fear of the unknown,” says Vaile Wright, director of clini- cal research at the American Psychological Association. “But we don’t have to get stuck there.” If we know the right things to do, we can override our brain’s irrational tendencies and manage the stress of uncertainty. We can fuel hope! Here are the top 10 things you can do to better manage your mental health and take back control. #1 Limit media exposure and access reliable sources It is essential that you

“What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know. It’s what we know for sure that

obtain important informa- tion on COVID-19, but too much exposure to media can lead to increased stress and anxiety and in some cases make their way into your dreams. Even in your sleep you can’t escape

just ain’t so.” ― Mark Twain

Today, we find the emotional part of our brain reacting to COVID-19 uncertainties just as we would react to our fear of a poisonous snake and it’s knocking our rational brain off track. We are in a crisis and psychology tells us without certainties to help us predict what is probable, we feel out of control. The world is being attacked by a silent, invisible enemy. The stress of uncertainty As first responders to the COVID-19 crisis, it can certainly take an emotional toll on you. It’s not that you or I will never fear the unknown, it is part of being human. But it’s what we do with that fear and how we

Photo courtesy Tennessee Department of Correction

This project was supported by Grant No. 2019-RY-BX-K003 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Corrections Today May/June 2020 — 9

Photo collage opposite page: Photos courtesy Tennessee Department of Corrections

n COVID-19, mental health

pressures you may be feeling about the pandem- ic. “We use our dreams to resolve emotional tension and particularly emotional uncer- tainty,” said Dr. Ian Wallace, a psychologist who specializes in sleep and dream research, “... because human beings are not very good at dealing with uncertainty.” Why is this important? Psychology tells us fear and panic flare up when we allow our brains to respond to uncertainty with irratio- nal thoughts and excessive anxiety. Watching television or listening to radio programs that repeatedly emphasize the turbulent spread of COVID-19, or absence of effective treat- ment, just fuels the freaked-out factory and exacerbates anxiety. In fact, the World Health Organization encouraged that people should check the news once or twice a day and only from reliable sources. While it is fine to have a general idea of what is happening, especially if you live near an area with a high concen- tration of cases, it’s important to limit media exposure, particularly from undocumented or unreliable sources. Learn to be invisible to fear. Stay rational.  #2 Practice good hygiene and physical distancing

Photos courtesy Tennessee Department of Correction

#3 Protect Yourself and Your Community by Helping Others “When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world.” ― Harold Kushner Many of our colleagues are our friends and neighbors. Whether it means helping a vulnerable neighbor get groceries or donating blood, you have an important part to play in helping your community. Think outside of yourself. Understand the stress of uncertainty affects all of us in different ways. Appreciate what you do is important. Realize your acts of kindness are protecting your community and you. In fact, chemicals released in our brains during acts of kindness reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, decrease blood pressure, protect our hearts, and strengthen our immune system. Remember, when you succeed, we all succeed.

Indecision is not the same as uncertainty, and there are a lot of decisions you can make to protect yourself and loved ones. For example, wash your hands frequently and thor- oughly, sanitize high-touch surfaces, avoid contact with sick people, make sure you have a decent supply of nonperishable

“If the body requires hygiene, then hygiene is compulsory for the

mind and soul.” ― Dmitry Pisarev

food and other supplies, and stay home as much as possible. Physical distancing goes against our need for human contact, but we need to stay apart now to come together later. And take your own advice. Ask yourself: “If my friends came to me with this worry, what would I tell them?”

10 — May/June 2020 Corrections Today

#4 Be positive and focus on gratitude Amid uncertainty, many people immediately imag- ine worst-case scenarios. Rather than ruminating on the negative, focus on what you value and for that which you are grate- ful. Rather than stewing in worries, make a daily

Pills aren’t the only medicine available to us. In fact, psychology has a wide array of behavioral medicine techniques science has proven to be effective in managing our stress and anxiety. It can be as simple as breathing. One method you can use is called the “4-7-8 Breathing” technique. This behavioral medicine involves breathing in through your nose for 4 seconds, holding it for 7 and exhaling through your mouth for 8 seconds. Research has clearly shown it can instill a sense of calm when you feel out of control. Try it. Congratulations, you have just lowered your blood pressure and heart rate, improved your body’s circulation, and re-energized your brain with an oxygen boost. Unlike those warnings in commercials, “You can try this at home!” #7 Get organized and maintain a routine “Routine is ground to stand on, a wall to retreat to; we cannot draw on our boots without bracing our- selves against it.” — Henry David Thoreau If you had kids at home, you would probably be trying to maintain a routine for them, with a lot of scheduled activities. You would try to create as much normalcy as possible for them. Psychology advises that strategy is important for adults, too. The key is to focus on the things that are within your control, even if it’s as simple as weekly meal planning, going for a walk, or going to bed and getting up at regularly scheduled times. Fill in vacant time with activities. A friend of mine started gardening. “My garden gives me hope”, she said. “It helps structure my day and gives me a sense of control.” Get organized and establish routines. It will give your days and weeks some healthy psychological structure. Personally, I do Bonsai. #8 Eat healthy, exercise and don’t forget how to laugh “I never could have made it if I could not have laughed. It lifted me momentarily out of this horrible situation, just enough to make it livable.” — Victor Frankl Eighty percent of visits to a doctor’s office are for medical problems resulting from our lifestyle choices. This is a good opportunity to make good lifestyle choices to help you fight your stress. A healthy diet and sufficient sleep will help your immune system to function properly,

“Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices.” ― Robert Braathe

“gratitude list” to bolster your psychological resiliency. The name we give something shapes our attitude toward it, so start each day with a conscious choice to have an attitude of gratitude. Research shows that having a posi- tive attitude and practicing gratitude boosts the immune system.   #5 Identify resources “Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.” ― John Maxwell According to a recent survey by the Kaiser Fam- ily Foundation, about a third of the Americans said the COVID-19 pandemic has caused mental problems. Avoid rumors during this crisis, many are spreading like a wild- fire. It is important that you have accurate information. As you identify resources you may need to access, psycholo- gists and other mental health professionals around the country are shifting their practices online to increase accessibility. Many have established virtual therapy or counseling via telehealth, and some are even holding free online group therapy sessions. De-stressing apps can help more immediately and cost less, too. There are mindful- ness apps and an app that helps you track your mood and daily activity so you can keep a healthy mental health schedule. I call these “The People Helping People” who can be our lighthouse as we navigate the uncertainties of the pandemic. #6 Take control with behavioral medicine “As you ought not attempt to cure the eyes with- out the head, or the head without the body, so neither ought you attempt to cure the body without the mind; for the part can never be well unless the whole is well.” — Plato

Corrections Today May/June 2020 — 11

n COVID-19, mental health

and movement is good for both body and mind. Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day and, if you are working at home, get up for a short break every 30 minutes. And don’t forget to laugh. Watch a funny movie. Share a good joke. Humor allows us to step away from the drama, if only for a few minutes. There is a lot of evidence in the scientific literature of how laughter and humor increase our immune system’s response to stress. #9 Stay connected Loss of social support can contribute to anxiety and feeling alone. Psychology warns social isolation can fuel anxiety and depression and, over the long term, is even linked to a shorter life span. But just because you may be physically distant from other people, you can, and should, stay connected to them. We have to remind our-

Photos courtesy Tennessee Department of Correction

Committed action should be guided by our core values. What do you want to stand for in the face of this crisis? What sort of person do you want to be, as you go through this? How do you want to treat yourself and others? As a first responder, you make substantial personal sacrifices and when that crisis arises, you are committed to whatever the mission is. Every day, you place safety first on the line for our community’s benefit. We are in a dangerous situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and in uncharted waters and you are on the front lines risking your lives for your core values, but it can take its toll on you — if you let it. Sometimes our need for certainty, and the fear of uncertainty, become so strong we miss out on opportuni- ties to find the meaningfulness which uncertainty can provide in our lives. You may not see it now, but you will be stronger when this pandemic end because each time you overcome uncertainty, it is a psychological vaccina- tion against the next uncertainty you will face. Dr. Victor Frankl tells us in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning , having a meaning to live for is as important as having a means to live. He counsels, “The quest for meaning is the key to mental health ...” You can choose to find your best self during the CO- VID-19 crisis. You can choose to stand your ground and not surrender to fear and anxiety. You can choose to find purpose and meaning to strengthen your mental health. So, we encourage you, as we do with ourselves every day, to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith. The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word “crisis.” One brush stroke stands for danger: the other for opportunity. In managing the stress of uncertainty with the COVID-19 crisis, the danger is if we do nothing to take care of ourselves and others, while allowing fear and anxiety to dominate our lives. The opportunity is to understand you are not powerless; you can manage your mental health successfully and you can take back control by choosing how you respond to your circumstances. We will get through this together because ... when you suc- ceed, we all succeed.

selves that family, friends, our colleagues at work and others may be dealing with feelings of isolation as they practice social distancing or quarantine. We can help others which helps us by staying connected. In his book, The Courage to Be , distinguished theologian Paul Tillich reminds us that catastrophic events

“Connection gives purpose and meaning to life.” ― Brené Brown

like COVID-19 take us beneath the busyness and distrac- tions of life and provide us with an opportunity to better understand ourselves and encourage others. If you are a person of faith, for example, you can join a prayer group and comfort each other. We’re all in this together and you don’t have to be alone with your worries. By being proac- tive and reaching out to others, you’ll boost your mental health and reduce your stress. For men, it’s not a sign of weakness to reach out to others. It takes courage to rec- ognize our basic human need for connection with others, and it takes strength to reach out. That’s something worth modeling for our children. #10 Let your values guide your actions and find the possibilities in uncertainty “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” —Winston Churchill

12 — May/June 2020 Corrections Today

Postscript “I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the truth.” — Abraham Lincoln Trust and truth: the importance of crisis leadership “Vitus et honos” was the personal code of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It means “strength and honor” and was also the code by which the Roman army lived. Their life’s purpose was to serve, and their duty was to fight in every crisis situation with vitus et honos . It was a mes- sage from the leadership guiding the action of every soldier.

Psychology tells us people may long for a positive mes- sage, but they won’t believe the positive messages if the crisis leadership is not transparent about the uncertainty and negative parts. With competent communication, ef- fective messaging from crisis leadership can help us unite around a common purpose, distinguish between what is necessary and unnecessary, know what to do when we are not sure, and give us hope, which is a good thing ... perhaps the best of things. As the Coronavirus outbreak continues, many aspects of our lives have changed and are continuing to change in ways we could not imagine. As essential personnel, you must report to work and with stay-at-home orders and other safety measures in place, it is important to stay focused on your physical and emotional health. Please make time to follow these daily habits that can help you to stay healthy: –– Take care of yourself: Create, and stick to, a regular schedule. Try to eat healthy meals, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.  –– Connect with others: Keep in contact by phone or video chat, maintain healthy relationships and build a strong support system. Talk about your joys and concerns, including how you are feeling. –– Take breaks from the news: Hearing about the outbreak repeatedly can be upsetting. Stay informed and then give yourself time away from the constant news updates, including social media. –– Practice Standard Precautions, Social Distanc- ing and Wash your hands: Simple steps — such as washing your hands often with soap and water, avoiding touching your face and maintaining social distancing — can help stop the spread of germs. Just one last thought ... remember you are not alone; we all will get through this together. Be safe and stay healthy. Dr. Dean Aufderheide is the Director of Mental Health for the Florida Department of Corrections and National Mental Health Advisor for the Office of Correctional Health, American Correctional Association. Dr. Elizabeth Gondles is the Director, Office of Correctional Health and International Initiatives, American Correctional Association and Assistant Adjunct Professor, University of Maryland Global Campus.

Truth and trust are inseparable. Crisis leadership needs to tell it like it is and not sugar-coat the situation.

As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps across the country, crisis leadership has never been more important for the health care workers and other essential personnel bat- tling on the front lines of the crisis. The ability to provide leadership in crisis situations is not written in a genetic code. It is forged in crisis and shaped by the challenges, lessons learned, and application of leadership skills to new and unfamiliar situations. Today, we are in crisis manage- ment mode and look to our crisis leadership for guidance, understanding and the facts. Foundational to success is communication and poor messaging is a lethal enemy of effective crisis leadership. Trust and cooperation are early casualties in responding to the crisis if the messaging is not credible, factual and consistent. Dr. Arjen Boin, an expert in crisis leadership, identified five components of an effective message: “It offers a credible explanation of what happened, it offers guidance, it instills hope, shows empathy and sug- gests that leaders are in control. If you fail on any one of those, you will begin to lose the public’s confidence.” Truth and trust are inseparable. Crisis leadership needs to tell it like it is and not sugar-coat the situation.

Corrections Today May/June 2020 — 13

From Jim’s Desk nEWS & vIEWS

The Unsung Heroes

I n 1776, Thomas Paine said, in the throes of the American Revolution, “these are the times that try men’s souls.” Well, 244 years later, “these are the times that try men’s and women’s souls!” Corrections’ job, every minute, every hour, every day, every month, and every year is to protect the pub- lic, protect those in their charge, and protect their staff. And corrections does a darn fine job of that every single second that goes by. Almost always unheralded and unsung, but protect all of us you do. And our country is appreciative even when, most often, it’s not said. Our nation, indeed, the world, is facing a new and scary situation with COVID-19. And this profession must bear a heavy burden in dealing with it. Close quarters, new admis- sions, public contacts, and constant movement all bears directly in com- pounding the risk for our staff and those we supervise.

So, if no one else ever tells you this: Thank God you are here, thank God you are doing your job, thank God you are willing to sacrifice for the greater good of our country.

But something about Americans tells us that when the going gets tough, the tough get going! Our correctional officers, our probation officers, our community corrections workers, our juvenile justice profes- sionals, our nurses, our doctors, our parole officers, our teachers, our counselors, and every other correc- tional worker shows up every day at their own personal peril to do the job. No one knows when this situation will end. But all of us know it will end and we will prevail.

So, if no one else ever tells you this: Thank God you are here, thank God you are doing your job, thank God you are willing to sacrifice for the greater good of our country. Simply said, two words: THANK YOU. YOU are America’s HEROES.

James A. Gondles Jr., CAE ACA Executive Director

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Calling wardens, agencies, and directors! Are you proud of your contributions and the work you do? The American Correctional Association is looking to recognize exemplary practices in the field of corrections. Those chosen will be featured on the ACA website, as well as in an upcoming issue of Corrections Today Magazine. In recognition of ... YOU!

To apply, go to www.aca.org and click on PUBLICATIONS. For more information, email publications@aca.org.

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Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

Benefits of CPE-Trained correctional chaplains: Part 2 By Rev. Eric Jeuland and Rev./Dr. Charles F. Williams

C linical Pastoral Education, or CPE, is a training program that is required for health- care and military chaplains but not yet widely recognized for correc- tional chaplains. Part 1 of this article (which you can find in the March/ April 2020 issue of Corrections Today) began to describe CPE and how CPE-trained chaplains can im- prove the effectiveness and advance the ultimate purpose of correctional institutions. Part 2 describes what makes CPE unique and relevant to the correctional system and the com- mon value of “human dignity” and the shared practice of “situational awareness” that CPE training and correctional departments share. A common ideal: human dignity Both CPE and state Departments of Corrections (DOCs) seek to serve and improve society based on their common value of honoring human dignity. DOCs exist to improve public safety, especially for people who have been victimized or who are vulnerable to abuse. CPE trains and empowers clergy and faith-based

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volunteers to be more effective spiritual caregivers and advocates for human dignity in the midst of crisis or distress. CPE’s experiential learn- ing process helps chaplains more skillfully create and protect safe spaces for all people to receive spiri- tual care. The importance of both personal safety and spiritual wellness are outgrowths of our society’s high value of human life. Moreover, human dignity is necessary in corrections because it is a core value that makes possible

the transformative work DOCs are asked to do by society. The dual pur- pose of the correctional system is to secure and also rehabilitate individu- als sentenced by the courts during their time of separation from free society. Even though correctional systems are difficult environments and under-resourced, human dignity must animate all we do. However, this is easier said than done. How might attention to human dignity impact correctional culture on a practical level?

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Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

A common practice: situational awareness

way, and can work in a complemen- tary way together. Joined under the one roof and goal of correction, they help their institutions to be prepared for the worst while leaving the door open for hope and transformation. 1 Correctional systems fail if they become either naive or callous. The common purpose of both types of situational awareness is to prepare professionals to be able to take appropriate and swift action when needed — sometimes that’s compas- sionate presence and sometimes it is initiating a use of force. CPE has the unique potential to be a transformative force in corrections because it supports the cultivation of hope and a special sensitivity to noticing and facilitating the positive potential

the positive potential in people and organizations. Alone, this approach would be naive and dangerous, but integrated into departments and facilities, chaplains can inject a spirit of respect and human dignity into the environment that will ultimately improve the effectiveness and advance the purpose of correctional institutions. So how does CPE help chaplains gain the needed skills and cultivate this mindset of hope and emotional connection? CPE’s approach is context-specific, self-directed, and relational. Context-specific learning CPE always occurs within a specific context and each CPE program’s curriculum is designed to address the realities of that context. CPE programs require students to offer spiritual care as employees or interns full- or part-time. Employed correctional chaplains who can only find CPE programs outside cor- rections will certainly benefit from CPE, especially if they are begin- ning students enrolled in their first or second unit. However, they won’t gain as much perspective on unique correctional issues like in different cultures, traumas, and dynamics. In the same way that correctional de- partments use training academies to impart correctional common sense to new staff, CPE for correctional chap- lains will be more relevant if offered in its own context. For example, prison chaplains may not need as much familiarity with hospice and end-of-life issues, but certainly need to be familiar with supporting people struggling with cultures of manipula- tion, complicated grief, the life-long

Although spiritual care pro- fessionals and correctional professionals share this significant common grounding in human dig- nity, they seem to diverge in some sense in the practical mindset they bring to their work. On first look, this difference seems to be encapsu- lated in a different understanding of the term “situational awareness.” For correctional officers, the term refers to a required vigilance regard- ing potential problems and threats. Because the correctional context is uniquely dangerous and difficult, it is appropriate for correctional officers (COs) to cultivate a posture that an- ticipates, avoids, and mitigates risk. Well-trained COs take in a situation and ask themselves, “What could go wrong here/now/next? And how can I help avoid that?” Situational awareness is also an important skill for spiritual caregiv- ers to cultivate — but chaplains look for different things and with a differ- ent purpose: chaplains listen for the others’ resources for meaning-mak- ing in order to offer compassion and emotional presence to them. Well- trained chaplains take in a situation and ask themselves, “What might this person be feeling?” “How might I somehow meet them human-to- human in a real, meaningful way?” “And how might I help them tap into an inner resource to overcome, to create, to cope?” These two approaches might seem contradictory or opposed to each other, but in fact, they are two sides of the same coin. They each honor human dignity in their own important

in people and organizations.

Thus, CPE has the unique po- tential to be a transformative force in corrections because it supports the cultivation of hope and a special sensitivity to noticing and facilitating

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learning guided by the reflections and learning needs expressed by the correctional chaplains themselves. At the start of each CPE unit, students develop personal contracts for learning. Their goals serve as a way to evaluate their progress. They are included in future writings and discussed in the peer group work and evaluations. The contract statement should be concise, measurable, and address individual personal develop- ment (emotional and developmental understanding), professional development (skills in pastoral func- tioning), and personal theological development (integration of faith into pastoral functioning). Students also write journal entries to provide material for each of their one-on-one conferences with the CE. These reflections continually assess the significance of the CPE experi- ence in relation to learning goals and CPE Standards. It is intensely personal, showing the style and voice of each student. Students are respon- sible for setting the agenda for the one-on-one sessions with the CE and may use them for a variety of func- tions that relate to their own learning goals and experiences. A major learning of the CPE student is to accept responsibility for their own learning process with humility. In Theological Reflection papers, students will engage in a theological reflection exercise which will help them to better articulate how they may experience the sacred, the holy, the role of blessing in their faith tradition, and how this may relate to their pastoral care. This exercise is helpful in development of one’s pastoral theology.

impact of Adverse Childhood Expe- riences (ACEs), and being victims of violence or sexual assault. In addition to offering spiritual care in their places of work, students attend regular education groups and one-on-one classes with a Certified Educator (CE). 2 The CPE method uses the pastoral experience, re- flection on the experience by the individual in written and oral reports, and feedback on those reported experiences by members of the peer group, faculty and CE. Through these experiences and evaluations, the education group becomes a labo- ratory for learning and the student learns effective evaluation of their ministry outreach and how they are perceived as pastoral persons. The traditional role of chaplains behind bars, in hospitals, and the military differ, and thus explorations of the perceptions of chaplains will differ in each setting as well. A major learning of the CPE student is to accept responsibility for their own learning process with humility.

take turns presenting verbatim and incident reports of their work and initiate discussion on issues that arose for them. The best verbatims come from situations in which students are deeply involved. Often this may come from situations where they may have missed an event or an individual com- pletely or did not know what to do. Self-directed learning The CE guides the students to discover their differing gifts for ministry and how those gifts may be shaped and improved. The basic im- petus for learning, however, comes from the students themselves, as they negotiate their contract for learning and invest in the learning opportuni- ties available to them. All encounters — with care-receivers, peers, staff, and CE — contain the seeds for chal- lenge and support which can lead to self-growth and self-development. A major learning of the CPE student is to accept responsibility for their own learning process with humility. Often, beginning chaplains may be aware of everyone except themselves and their own feelings without even recognizing their own blind spot. Under great stress, even the most advanced practitioners fall into old habits. Each student must negotiate their own way of learning to navigate the turbulent waters of a correctional facilities’ culture and also maintain sensitivity and compassion for the people around them experiencing their own individual distresses. As Anton Boisen, a founder of CPE said, peers and the people chaplains serve are real, “Living Human Docu- ments,” and real learning is through real relationships with people, not books. 3 This is experiential

Students complete various types of written work to address personal learning in the context of their work and the CPE outcomes. Students

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