Corrections_Today_September_October_2019_Vol.81_No.5

n Wellness

County Jail. The unit constantly works to reduce the stigma around mental health treatment for public safety employees and to remove the barriers to treatment by having the staff psychology coordinator, Persaud, onsite visiting roll calls on all three shifts, spending time in the secure areas of the facility, teaching mandatory classes and being on-call for emergency consultations. Workshops are available to staff as well, for example the unit recently partnered with Prince George’s County retirement and investments advisers to do a three-part series on financial wealth, including retirement planning, debt management and gaining an understanding of investments and insurance. The unit has also conducted

address work culture and to foster camaraderie and build morale while at the same time promoting wellness. These retreats create a positive and supportive work culture that allows colleagues to recommend one another for treatment. Support every step of the way The Employee Support Unit’s holistic approach to wellness starts at the very beginning of onboarding for staff. Persaud is an adjunct instructor for in-service train- ing and the academy for new student officers. The classes, including topics such as trauma-informed corrections,

workshops on nutrition, physi- cal fitness and the importance of exercise in managing stress. Support groups are also avail- able to staff, further helping staff foster a positive work en- vironment by holding groups to help them understand mourning and grief together. The success of the Em- ployee Support Unit lies in their availability and visibility to staff on a daily basis. There are currently 24 officers, six civilians, and two retired DOC volunteers who comprise the CISM team and are supervised by Persaud. The team mem- bers provide immediate crisis response to employees who may be exposed to a traumatic event while on the job. Staff awareness of resources as well as the familiarity and comfort of having members of the Em- ployee Support Unit around on a daily basis has resulted in employees frequently refer- ring not only themselves for treatment, but their colleagues as well if they are concerned about their wellbeing. The Em- ployee Support Unit facilitates a number of staff retreats to

Photo courtesy Ellis Williams

Some members of the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections’ Critical Incident Stress Management Team pose for a group photo in their team shirts.

30 — September/October 2019 Corrections Today