Corrections_Today_May_June_2020_Vol.82_No.3

Communications & Publications

Bookshelf

tools that are available to make this task easier to complete and more efficient cannot fix the underlying issues that poor writing composition skills present. This manual, which is written specifically for corrections professionals, both within jails and prisons, can help. The manual is laid out in an easy- to-read and easy-to-use format. The spiral binding allows for ease to use as an instructor guide for a classroom or as an easy way to hold a particular page open for review. The topics covered by the book can be accessed by referring to a thorough and concise table of contents. A review of grammar and syntax issues that often are identified as problems in reports are also addressed in an easy to read format. The goal of this publication is not to create English professors of all who read it, but good writing depends upon knowledge of parts of speech (nouns, pronouns, adjectives) as well as proper use of punctuation. A quick search on the internet can show great examples of how a misplaced comma can alter the whole meaning of the sentence or how a double negative can communicate just the opposite of what is intended. Additionally, the incorrect use of quotations can change the reliability of the report so much so that the document is not useful to act as a criminal justice document. The chapter on grammar, punctuation and syntax highlights these types of concerns and provides clear instruction to the corrections officer to help avoid these types of mistakes. The manual also provides useful and easy-to-read information on the

mechanics of writing the report, proof- reading and editing skills, and the supervisor role. Proofreading is often treated as a luxury that none of us really have time for, but this particular step can actually save a great deal of time in the end. One goal of this proof-reading process is to check for simple and “clean” language. Is the report easy to understand? Are the facts clear? sentence structure will not change; however, what this manual does provide is current, up-to- date real-world examples of the types of incidents and issues that are relative in today’s corrections workforce. The supervisor’s role is defined to include a review for common deficiencies and then a discussion regarding ethical considerations. The supervisor is the first step in a potentially very long set of steps where this report may be scrutinized for accuracy and/or contradictions between other types of evidence, such as other officer’s reports or video evidence. Specific topics of interest for all corrections employees are addressed, such as difficult interviews and evaluation and documentation of the The concepts of good grammar and appropriate

Report Writing Manual for Corrections Professionals Written by Deputy M. Jean Whitten and Captain Sean T. Stewart, 2016, Police and Fire Publishing, LLC, 218 pp.

Reviewed by Susan Jones, Ph.D., Warden, Colorado

Department of Correction — Retired

“… It is impossible and unreason- able to rely upon memory alone. Documentation of incidents and proper report writing can be the difference between calm and chaos in the agency …” This quote from India Davis, the Bureau Chief of Pima County Adult Detention Complex, is found within the “Report Writing Manual for Corrections Professionals” and it succinctly communicates the need to develop report writing skills in all corrections employees. In fact, report writing skills are the one thing that corrections professionals have lamented as needing improvement among their staff for as long as I have been involved in prison work. As technology progresses, the

108 — May/June 2020 Corrections Today