Corrections_Today_Winter_2024-2025_Vol.86_No.4

Corrections Winter 2024–2025 | Vol. 86, No. 4 THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE Advance. Connect. Achieve. Today

Syphilis Screening | Puppies on the Block

Data Visualization | Black History Month

“I’m a product of this system, not a victim. Thank you.” — Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll!

A voice of hope, forgiveness and redemption

p. 75

THIS IS YOUR MAGAZINE ... and we want YOU to be a part of future issues! Let’s make a splash! Discover the many opportunities to contibute to Corrections Today — the flagship magazine of the American Correctional Association — dedicated to Corrections Professionals worldwide. We look forward to your valuable contributions! Corrections Professionals

• Share your National Correctional Officer and Employee Week celebrations. • Contribute a compelling feature article. • Provide insightful critiques for our Bookshelf section. • Express your perspectives and experiences in “View from the Line.” • “Speak Out” on matters close to your heart. • Extend an update on your ACA Committee. • Seek guidance from Dr. Dean Aufderheide by posing a Behavioral Health inquiry. • Promote your upcoming events through the Corrections Calendar. • Engage in our social media platforms.

Questions? Contact Kirk Raymond by calling 703-224-0193 or by email at submissions@aca.org

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MARCH IS #WOMENSHISTORYMONTH Call for article and photo submissions for the Spring issue of Corrections Today!

I n the month of March, Corrections Today is proud to celebrate the remarkable history, contributions, and stories of women in the field of corrections. We invite you to share photos and articles that highlight the unique experiences, challenges, and successes of women working within this essential sector, as well as initiatives that have advanced gender equity and inclusion in correctional institutions.

Your stories, perspectives, and visuals are vital in showcasing the profound impact of women in corrections. Whether through an inspiring article, a striking photograph, or a personal narrative, your submissions will help us craft a meaningful tribute that honors the legacy of women in corrections, recognizes their current achievements, and envisions a more inclusive future for all.

Submission Guidelines: – ARTICLES: Should be between 800-2,000 words. Please include a brief bio and a photo of the author(s) and any relevant affiliations. – PHOTOS: Submit high-resolution images (300 dpi or higher) with appropriate captions and credits. Include a brief description of the photo’s context and significance. – FORMAT: All submissions should be in MSWord format for articles, and JPEG format for photos (as individual attachments, not pasted into MSWord). – DEADLINE: Please submit your articles and photos by Dec. 15, 2024. – HOW TO SUBMIT: Email your submissions to submissions@aca.org with the subject line “Women's History Month”.

For questions or additional information, please contact Kirk Raymond, Director of Communications and

Publications, at (703) 224-0193.

Submit your #WomensHistoryMonth articles and photos by Dec. 15, 2024 to submissions@aca.org

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Corrections Today Winter 2024–2025 | Vol. 86, No. 4 THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Features

ACA Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth

24 Transformative syphilis screening pilot in correctional facilities A collaborative success story By Elizabeth Samson, MA, LMHC, CCHP, CPHQ and Diane Bartlett, CCHP 30 Puppies on The Block and the benefits of the carceral caretaker By Kimberly Collica-Cox, Ph.D. 40 Data visualization in community corrections By Joe Winkler

You Could Be Our Next Cover Star — Submit Your Best Photo Today!

22 Bureau Chief Cassandra Moore Exemplifying resilience, leadership and

Submit your photos for consideration in Corrections Today magazine to Publications@aca.org, ATTN: CT Photos. Photo must be large, high quality (300 dpi) and JPEG format.

innovation By Joe Winkler

154 th Congress of Correction in Nashville Recap p. 66

On the Cover: Jelly Roll electrified the ACA 154 th Congress of Correction with a lively conversation about how the corrections system transformed his life and career. He encouraged officers to keep pushing forward, then closed with a performance of his hit song “Need a Favor,” earning thunderous applause. Photo courtesy Lovestruck Images

Winter 2024-2025 | Corrections Today

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

News&Views

7

From Rob’s Desk

EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Robert L. Green, robg@aca.org MANAGING EDITOR Kirk Raymond, kraymond@aca.org GRAPHICS AND PRODUCTION STAFF GRAPHIC DESIGNER Carla DeCarlo, carlad@aca.org ADVERTISING AND MARKETING STAFF DIRECTOR, CONVENTIONS, ADVERTISING AND CORPORATE RELATIONS Kelli McAfee, kellim@aca.org DIRECTOR, SALES & MARKETING Da’Shawn Burnette, dashawnb@aca.org

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In Memoriam

10 14 18

Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

View from the Line Washington Watch

ACA Departments

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Mary Misisco, marym@aca.org COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST Sarah Castillo, sarahc@aca.org MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER Kierra Khan, kierrak@aca.org

52 56 62 66

ACA Benchmarks/New Members

Committees

Communications & Publications Conventions, Advertising & Corportate Relations Executive Office/Past President’s Corner

ACA EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Robert L. Green, robg@aca.org DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jeffrey Washington, jeffw@aca.org CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

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Ben Nalette, CPA, benn@aca.org SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT India Vargas, indiav@aca.org COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Kirk Raymond, kraymond@aca.org CONVENTIONS, ADVERTISING AND CORPORATE RELATIONS DIRECTOR Kelli McAfee, kellim@aca.org INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACTING DIRECTOR Ben Nalette, CPA, benn@aca.org INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES Jeffrey Washington, jeffw@aca.org OFFICE OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH DIRECTORS Terri L. Catlett — Director, terric@aca.org Dr. Dean Aufderheide — Director of Mental Health, daufderheide@aca.org PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MEMBERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR Dr. Valorie L. Sanders, LBBP, valories@aca.org SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Da’Shawn Burnette, dashawnb@aca.org STANDARDS AND ACCREDITATION DIRECTOR David Haasenritter, davidh@aca.org 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. Printed in U.S.A. by Goetz Printing, Springfield, VA Vol. 86, No. 4. Copyright 2024 by the American Correctional Association

110 114

Office of Correctional Health

Professional Development, Membership & Engagement

118

Sales & Marketing

120 122 124

Standards & Accreditation

Corrections Calendar

Advertiser/Product Index

Winter 2024-2025 | Corrections Today

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INQUIRIES AND INFORMATION

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. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Please direct all inquiries to DaShawn Burnette, Director of Sales & Marketing, at 703-224-0030 (Direct) or dashawnb@aca.org. 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 four times a year in Summer (June/July/August), Fall (September/October/November), Winter (December/ January/February) and Spring (March/April/May) by the American Correctional Association, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-224-0000. Vol. 86, No. 4. Copyright 2024 by the American Correctional Association POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Corrections Today , American Correctional Association, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. Periodicals rate postage is paid at Alexandria, VA 22314 and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES: Subscriptions are included in annual membership dues. Nonmember subscription rates are $25 per year. You can join ACA or renew your subscription online at www. aca.org. Changes to your contact information and address can be updated through the membership portal at www.aca.org, via email at memberships@aca.org or by calling the Member Support Center at 1-866-538-1929 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 5 p.m., EST).

AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Denise M. Robinson Ohio IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Tony C. Parker Tennessee VICE PRESIDENT Tyrone Oliver Georgia PRESIDENT-ELECT Ricky D. Dixon Florida

TREASURER Harbans S. Deol, D.O., Ph.D. Nebraska BOARD OF GOVERNORS REPRESENTATIVES Burl Cain Mississippi Garry L. McFadden North Carolina SECRETARY Robert L. Green Maryland

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CHAPTERS AND AFFILIATES

Alston Wilkes Society—American Catholic Correctional Ministries—American Correctional Health Services Association—American Institute of Architects—American Jail Association—American Probation and Parole Association—Arizona Probation, Parole and Corrections Association— 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—Colorado Criminal Justice Association— Correctional Accreditation Managers Association— Correctional Association of Massachusetts— Correctional Education Association—Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators—District of Columbia Criminal Justice Association—Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency—Historical Association for Corrections—Illinois Correctional Association—Indiana Criminal Justice Association— International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology—International Association of Correctional Training Personnel—International Correctional Arts Network—International Corrections and Prisons Association—Iowa Corrections Association—Jamaica Federation of Corrections— Juvenile Justice Trainers Association—Kansas Correctional Association—Louisiana Correctional

Association—Maryland Criminal Justice Association— Michigan Corrections Association—Middle Atlantic States Correctional Association—Missouri Corrections Association—National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice—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 Organization of Hispanics in Criminal Justice— Nebraska Correctional 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—Ohio Correctional and Court Services Association—Oklahoma Correctional Association— Parole and Probation Compact Administrators Association—Prison Fellowship—Salvation Army—South Carolina Correctional Association—Southern States Correctional Association—Texas Criminal Justice Association—Virginia Correctional Association— Volunteers of America Inc.—Washington Correctional Association—Wisconsin Correctional Association— Wyoming Correctional Association

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News&Views

NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

From Rob’s Desk Carrying momentum from Nashville to Orlando

I hope this message finds each of you well and professionally en ergized after the successful 154 th Congress of Correction in Nashville. It was truly a remarkable gathering, filled with inspiring dis cussions, insightful presentations and the opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow corrections professionals. The commitment, passion and enthusiasm exhibited by all attendees, exhibitors and pre senters underscores the importance of our work to enhance correctional practices, stay focused on advanc ing practices and information, supporting every discipline and staff member in our profession and creating opportunities to replicate excellence in our work. During our time in Nashville, we had the pleasure of hearing from esteemed speakers who shared valuable perspectives on the current challenges and opportunities within corrections. The plenaries and feature sessions were particularly enlightening, allowing for deeper engagement on key topics. Your active participation brought these discussions to life, and together, we

explored innovative solutions that can drive meaningful change in our communities. I hope you were able to experi ence the 45-minute conversation with Jelly Roll facilitated by our President Denise Robinson. What a memorable moment it was when Jelly Roll thanked corrections for helping him change his life. “I am not a victim of your sys tem, I am product. Thank you”. Looking ahead, I am excited to announce our 2025 Winter Confer ence to be held in the vibrant city of Orlando, Florida. Our preliminary blueprint and planning guide is now available on our website. Housing and registra tion is also open. I know our staff and I are busy preparing a host of opportunities for learning and collaboration. This conference will focus on emerging trends in corrections tech nology. For example, we will explore the burning question of how we are going to maintain aging facilities with preventive maintenance and cooling needs along with other key issues brought up by our members.

As we prepare for Orlando, your input and involvement are crucial. Your perspectives will be vital in shaping a conference that truly addresses the needs of our attendees, our staff and the communities we serve. In closing, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing commitment to the best in corrections. Together, you and I can continue to foster a professional landscape that sup ports growth, innovation, and positive change. Let’s carry the momentum from our time in Nashville into the future as we look forward to reconnecting in Orlando and continue our mission to drive excellence in professional cor rections across the country and around the globe. CT

Sincerely,

Robert L. Green ACA Executive Director

Winter 2024-2025 | Corrections Today

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News&Views

IN MEMORIAM

T he American Correctional Association (ACA), together with the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation (CPOF), extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of fallen correctional officers. These brave men and women, whose End of Watch marked a profound loss to our community, served with unwavering dedication and courage, often under difficult and dangerous conditions. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten as we honor their memory and stand united, remembering the ultimate price they paid in the line of duty. CT

Christine Guerin-Sandoval Community Parole Officer EOW: 9/28/2023 Division of Adult Parole CO Robert Clark Correctional Officer I

Michael Keel Maintenance Foreman EOW: 4/12/2023 Indiana State Prison IA John Durm Deputy Sheriff EOW: 7/10/2023 Marion County Sheriff’s Office IA

Scott Riner Senior Correctional Officer EOW: 12/13/2022 Gwinnett County Depart ment of Corrections GA Daniel Kin Deputy Sheriff EOW: 12/15/2022 Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office OH

Jeremiah Story Detention Officer EOW: 6/22/2022 Perry County Sheriff’s Office AR

Helen Smith Correctional Officer III EOW: 2/3/2022 Pasquotank Correctional Institution NC Joshua Caudell Sergeant EOW: 2/28/2022 Tucker Unit AR

Gregory Horne Sr. Detention Corporal EOW: 9/25/2022 Edgecombe County Detention Center NC

EOW: 10/1/2023 Smith State Prison GA

The list of fallen correctional staff is curated, maintained by, and the property of the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation. It is printed with the written consent of CPOF. The titles listed in this list depict the title of the correctional staff member at their time of death. Please send any corrections to mail@cpof.org.

MEMBERS SPOKE AND ACA LISTENED: “We need better membership customer support.”

At ACA, we listened to your feedback and heard your requests for better customer support. In response, we’ve launched a dedicated Membership Services Support Center at 1-866-538-1929 . This new line is here to help resolve any past customer support issues and ensure you receive the personalized care and attention you deserve. Your input has been invaluable, and because of you, we’re making our customer service experience better than ever.

Enjoying the new print version of Corrections Today magazine?

Membership Service Support Center 1-866-538-1929

SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK AT PUBLICATIONS@ACA.ORG

Corrections Today | Winter 2024-2025

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News&Views

CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAIN PERSPECTIVES

Challenge for chaplains & churches: Develop discipleship ministries for the incarcerated context By Rev. Dr. Sylvia Moseley T his article attempts to challenge prison ministry methodology as well as Chaplains oversight to provide brown, and white citizens in their jails and prisons, which is a 500% increase over the last 40 years. 3 The increase reflects a change in policies and sentencing laws, rather than a rapid rise in crime rates.

churches consisting of well-meaning members, ministers, and pastors enthusiastically conduct worship services in the prisons, many times concluding with an exhortation to the incarcerated persons (IP), to confess Christ. Many seeking change in their lives have answered the call repeatedly, thinking they must be doing something wrong be cause the change does not come, or the change does not last. However,

faith based trauma informed bible studies, worship experiences, and discipleship/mentoring programs. It is the position of this author these services challenge and may change criminogenic thinking and behaviors many incarcerated individuals have incorporated into their worldview. This worldview contributes to the phenomena iden tified and named by the Children’s Defense Fund as “America’s Cradle to Prison Pipeline.” 1 The Children’s Defense Fund observed that birth environments, childhood traumas, and family dynamics have a high probability of placing children on a trajectory to spend their lives cy cling through the pipeline to prison. Sunflower, Mississippi, and Cincin nati, Ohio were two cities chosen to evaluate in preparing the report. The alarming findings these two cit ies revealed in 2007 ignited difficult conversations about poverty, race, equality, and the prison pipeline. 2 To date, America incarcerates ap proximately 2.2 million poor black,

After almost fifty years of buildup, due to prison reforms, the twenty first century has seen a twenty-five percent decrease nationally in the prison population. 4 In address ing the issues, ministries in many

Adobe Stock/orientka

Corrections Today | Winter 2024-2025

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CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAIN PERSPECTIVES

without consistent programming that challenges their criminogenic thinking, transformative change is beyond the reach of most who stood up for Christ. The groundbreaking research and writing of Michelle Alexander gave America and the Church the nudge they needed to come out of their com placency about the prison pipeline. Cornell West writing the forward of her book stated, “The New Jim Crow is a grand wake-up call amid a long slumber of indifference to the poor and vulnerable.” 5 Following the suc cess of The New Jim Crow, on talk radio and television, preachers, and churches were forced to struggle with the questions of why America incar cerates so many of its citizens, and what ministry response should the Christian Churches mount. Therein lies the crux of the problem of what is effective prison ministry and the challenges facing prison Chaplains. The lack of understanding and lack of strategies to create solutions that will provide off-ramps in the prison pipeline continue to stymie prison ministries. The origin of American prison ministry grew out of the prison experiences of incarcerated Quak ers in England. Margaret Fox, wife of George Fox, was viewed by many as the mother of Quakerism. Her home in Swarthmore became the headquarters for his preachers, as approximately 3,179 of his follow ers were imprisoned. About four hundred of his followers met their deaths in prison and many were Driving transformative change in a prison setting

ruined financially by hefty fines imposed upon them by their in carceration. 6 The full weight of the English government was imposed against the Religious Society of Friends as they sought to quell the growth of any religious group outside of the Anglican Church of England and Puritans. The Quak ers were constantly monitored and imprisoned. Margaret Fox was ar rested for refusing to take an oath of allegiance to the King and allow ing Quaker meetings in her home. She was sentenced to life imprison ment and forfeiture of her property. She remained in prison for four years and spent her time in prison writing religious pamphlets and epistles. Margaret also wrote letters to Judges regarding the inhumane conditions of Lancaster prison, and appearing before the Judge, spoke of the horrible environment pris oners were forced to live in. Once released from prison Margaret Fox travelled to England’s’ prisons pro viding for “incarcerated sufferers” who needed support. 7 Margaret Fox outlived her husband, she contin ued to agitate for the end of capital punishment and improved condi tions in England’s prisons. After her husband’s death, Margaret Fox increased her and her Friend’s sup port with material substance for incarcerated Friends, imprisoned debtors, their families detained with them, degraded women, as well as individuals incarcerated under penalty of death. 8 The goal of the Friends was a total trans formation of the entire system of incarceration in England. The goal of the 21st-century church should be no less.

The legacy of the Friends lives on in our churches which provide ser vices to the incarcerated. However, we must embrace the full legacy of total transformation. The Christian Church and the religious commu nity need a spiritual transformative program that will restore the lives of incarcerated and formerly incar cerated individuals and result in desistance. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) defines desistance in their report, on the part of return ing citizens as “ continued absence of criminal activity and requires reinte gration into society .” 9 Transformative programs will focus on assisting the IP in recasting their self-identity. The transformative process is a deep-level change in self-identity characterized by recognizing and being receptive to the idea of change. Secondly, the individual must perceive visible desirable, and attain able advantages to change. Thirdly, cognitive transformation is possible when the incarcerated individual can envision an appealing replacement self. Finally, cognitive transforma tion transpires when the deviant criminal behavior and lifestyle are no longer perceived as positive or viable. There is a growing body of research on identity change and re ligiously motivated desistance that supports the position that religious beliefs and lifestyle create a new social identity to replace the label of prisoner or criminal. According to the study conducted at Angola Prison, they found religious study and lifestyle: Imbues the experience of

imprisonment with purpose and meaning, empowers the powerless prisoner by turning

Winter 2024-2025 | Corrections Today

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News&Views

qualify as traumatic and will ad versely affect the healthy growth of children. The test is administered to adults and evaluated in the following manner: questions 1-3 refer to emo tional, physical, and sexual abuse, questions 4 and 5 assess emotional and physical neglect, and questions 6-10 refer to household dysfunction. Individuals selected for discipleship training should have a minimum of thirty-six months left in prison, and individuals who have twenty years remaining to life sentences. The ef fectiveness of the curriculum will be evaluated based on the behavior of the incarcerated life sentences and the desistance levels of the individu als who have re-entered society. The curriculum should be developed to last one full year allowing individu als to graduate

suggest those who experienced incarceration will remain dam aged by the experience. But God, the good news of the gospel, and the Holy Spirit have changed the most hardened of hearts and minds toward the Lord and our pews are lined with individuals whose lives are a testimony to the transforma tive power of the Gospel. CT ENDNOTES 1 Julia Cass and Connie Curry, ed., America’s Cradle to Prison Pipeline: A Report of the Children’s Defense Fund (Washington, D.C.: The Children’s Defense Fund, 2007).1. 3 Carson, E. A. (2023). Prisoners in 2022.- Statistical tables Bureau of Justice Statistics; Nellis, A. (2021). 4 Carson, E. A. (2022a). Prisoners in 2021 – Statistical tables Bureau of Justice Statistics; Carson, E. A. (2012). Prisoners in 2011 Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2 Ibid., 15

him into an agent of God, provides the prisoner with a language and framework for forgiveness, and allows a sense of control over an unknown future. 10

The challenge our churches face is to develop a spiritual, faith-based transformative curriculum specifi cally for the incarcerated individuals, to implement in prisons which will facilitate the growth of incarcer ated individuals. Many churches want to help without going into the prisons. Returning citizens coming back into society from incarceration have enormous needs. Churches and religious groups can collaborate to develop reentry programs. Correc tional chaplains are positioned to aid prison ministries in providing more than Sunday worship. Chaplains can provide insight into the curriculum that addresses the criminogenic thinking and behaviors that lead to either another prison sentence or death. Correctional chaplains know the real needs and struggles of IP and can guide churches in the devel opment of their prison ministry. The goal should be to develop a disciple ship curriculum so participants in the discipleship curriculum will transform their thinking and behav ior in prison and when they return to their communities. The curricu lum should address six critical life skills which address critical cogni tive behavior thinking. The targeted individuals should have experienced at least four of the ten adverse child hood experiences (ACE). The ten adverse childhood experiences are events that the Center for Disease Control has identified as events that

5 Michelle Alexander, (New York: The New Press, 2010) xi.

The goal should be to develop a discipleship

6 Rowe, 479.

7 Ibid. 128.

curriculum so participants in the discipleship curriculum will transform their thinking and behavior in prison and when they return to their communities.

8 Ibid., 129.

9 Joan Petersilia and Richard Rosenfeld, “Parole, Desistance from Crime and Community Integration” Committee on Law and Justice, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, National Research Council of the National Academies (2008): 2, https://www. nap.edu/catalog/11988/parole-desistance-from crime-and-community-integration

10 Ibid. 47.

Rev. Dr. Sylvia Moseley has over 25 years’ experience in prison ministry, chaplaincy, community organization, strategic planning, problem solving, coordinating, conducting group soft skills training, and bible studies.

Some studies demonstrate the considerable damage long-term incarceration has on the personal ity of the incarcerated and their inability to adjust to life outside of prison. Many of these studies

Corrections Today | Winter 2024-2025

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News&Views

VIEW FROM THE LINE

Redefining courage and loyalty Active bystandership for the Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities (AACDDF) By Christopher Klein

In December of 2023, the Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities imple mented a systemwide program of active bystandership training. This is our story. F irst, I want to tell you about a suicide death. It is the suicide that keeps me up at night. I want to tell you about it … but I can’t. I can’t because it hasn’t happened yet. I don’t know who it might be or why they might decide to take their own life. Because I don’t know who it is, I cannot reach out to them and talk them into the help they need. To prevent this suicide, I need the help of each and every person I am responsible for. I need to enhance our Departmental culture. I need active bystandership. At the Anne Arundel County (MD) Department of Detention Fa cilities, we are proud of our jails and the people who work here. We have employees who are experienced, well-trained and motivated. We treat inmates/detainees with respect. Our staff courageously support each

other. Our leaders are innovative and compassionate. So why were we motivated to bring new training to Anne Arundel County? Why has Anne Arundel County decided to become the first jail in America to embark on a program that will train every staff member to be an active bystander? We have 297 certified officers and supervisors and a total staff of 436. With that many people, the probability of someone making a severe mistake is high. Sooner or later, a lock will be unsecured, or a search will not be completed.

Sooner or later, even an excellent officer will lose their composure or their temper, with consequences that can cost them their career or the County a lot of money. Sooner or later, one of our employees will be at risk of early retirement, discipline or even death by suicide due to the toll this job can have on any of us. When mistakes, deteriorating health and wellness or misconduct hap pens, it is almost always the case there are peers who witness the harm and could have prevented the harm. Becoming active bystanders

Photo courtesy of the Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities (AACDDF)

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VIEW FROM THE LINE

is how we become heroes to each other, incarcerated persons and the profession of corrections. We want to ensure every employee feels ob ligated, is able to see these dangers before they occur and intervene to stop the harm effectively. Studies show the rate of suicide is higher among correctional officers than among the general public, and we believe active bystandership is one crucial way to reduce those numbers. The folks who witness mistakes, misconduct or the failing health of their peers are bystanders, and a bystander can be either passive or active. Passive bystanders stand by when a fellow officer is about to make a mistake or commit an act of misconduct, such as excessive force. After the event, they face the excru ciating decision to report or remain silent. Reporting a fellow officer can lead to bad feelings or retribution, but failing to report or lie about the incident is a policy violation and possibly a crime. At AACDDF, we decided to create a third option. What if it never happened? What if one of the bystanders chose to inter vene, thereby preventing the harm? We are confident our staff will gladly place themselves in danger when a

fellow officer is in harm’s way. We want to have the same level of confi dence that each of us will be willing and able to overcome the known social inhibitors to step in and prevent harm. However, intervening in another person’s conduct is much more complicated than one would think, especially in corrections. Employee wellness critical Similarly, when an officer’s stress level begins to have serious conse quences, it may be noticed by their friends and colleagues. Working in an environment filled with trauma exposure brings inherent risks to the health of those brave individu als who have made corrections their career, and for some, their calling. Like many public safety organiza tions, Anne Arundel County has an employee assistance program that supports people who want to improve their physical, mental and spiritual well-being. We have a peer support team. We even have a Critical Incident Stress Manage ment (CISM) Team. Our insurance includes mental health benefits. However, these programs only work when people use them, and that is where active bystandership can make a difference. When one of our people is using unhealthy means to deal with their stress or sliding into depression, co-workers are often in a position to see the need for an intervention. By teaching employees when and how to intervene skill fully, we believe we can increase the chances that their colleagues will reach out for the available help. Most agencies have had cases where someone’s depression or anxiety

continued to worsen, occasionally resulting in suicide. Studies show the rate of suicide is higher among correctional officers than among the general public, and we believe active bystandership is one crucial way to reduce those numbers. Passive vs active bystanding So, what stops people from intervening? We already know one inhibitor is rank. We learned how to name and tame that rank-based inhibitor and the tactful skills to intervene. The reasons people do not intervene go deeper than rank. Will old friends be willing to risk temporary discomfort in a relation ship and confront each other about alcohol use, mistakes on the job and other unhealthy ways of dealing with stress? When someone is depressed and says, “I don’t want to talk about it,” do we have the willingness and the tools to overcome their denial and encourage them to get help? These inhibitors are very real and complex to overcome. Interestingly, these inhibitors are not unique to people who work in jails. Research shows they apply to everyone. Although they could have intervened, passive bystanders sit back and do nothing. Maybe they’re waiting for someone else to step in, or maybe it’s someone of higher rank. Or maybe it’s simply because these conversations are difficult and uncomfortable. In contrast, active bystanders pay close attention to the situation, decide to intervene and then intervene to prevent harm. To get people to intervene, we must maintain a culture that supports, accepts, respects and welcomes

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intervention. We need senior staff to demand their employees are trained in active bystandership. Leaders need to extend training and policy beyond a duty to intervene to embrace the curiosity, cour age and skills of being an active bystander.

Active bystandership has recently become the most significant new concept in American policing.

Training crucial to success You may wonder why anyone would choose to be passive when harm is about to occur. Our officers willingly put themselves in harm’s way whenever an officer or detainee is in danger. But when it comes to in tervening in a fellow officer’s actions, especially if the person is of higher rank, we are hesitant. Therefore, Anne Arundel County invested in an active bystandership training program. To that end, we reached out to Heroes Active Bystandership Training. The Heroes curriculum is excellent but equally important; Heroes provides us with the tools and the support to change our entire culture. We wanted to teach every one of our staff they already have a duty to intervene, even if it’s complicated. We wanted to make sure the culture of our De partment supports a culture where interventions are respected, accepted,

Photo collage courtesy of the Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities (AACDDF)

welcomed and even embraced, no matter the rank of either person. We know training alone seldom yields these results, so we wanted to embark on a project that aims directly at our culture so the skills we teach will be used daily. Heroes has been our part ner in this effort, and our staff has responded with enthusiasm we have not seen before. The Heroes curric

Massachusetts, Amherst. It explains the definition of bystandership and why it matters. It redefines loyalty from “blind loyalty” to construc tive loyalty so people tell each other what they need to hear instead of what they want to hear. Active bystandership has been practiced in other professions for some time. For example, commercial and military aviation has long been concerned about the dangers of co-pilots being unwilling or unable to correct dan gerous pilot errors. To overcome this problem, they have devised meth ods of progressively increasing the intensity of an intervention. Heroes applies these tactics to corrections,

ulum rests on more than 50 years of so cial science research and is largely based on Professor Ervin Staub’s research at the University of

Ervin Staub

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and our staff has already found them useful. Active bystander ship has recently become the most significant new concept in American policing. In 2020, Georgetown Law Center’s Project ABLE (Active By standership for Law Enforcement) began training police departments nationwide in active bystandership. In less than four short years, ABLE has been embraced by almost 400 police departments with 169,000 officers, an unprecedented accep tance level by law enforcement. We believe fostering a culture of active bystandership will soon prove to be the standard of care for jails and prisons across the United States, and we are thrilled to be at the cusp of this standard of care. In December 2023, we trained over ten internal agency trainers. By the end of 2024 we will have fully implemented Heroes by train ing all our staff and integrating the Heroes training into our Academy

Fortunately, active bystandership is a set of skills that can be taught, practiced, learned and utilized.

for all future employees. Training alone has limited value. By itself, learning a new concept seldom changes behavior unless those concepts are supported by super vision and a culture. Fortunately, active bystandership is a set of skills that can be taught, practiced, learned and utilized. For this rea son, the Heroes training involves an evidence-informed curriculum, active discussion, group activities and role-plays. Staff members get a chance to practice saying difficult things to each other with the sup port of their classmates. It is important to me that our staff appreciates this training. The

classes are fun and interactive. More importantly, however, they understand the purpose of active bystandership is to prevent harm and save their careers and maybe even the lives of the people they work with. We believe creating and supporting a culture of active by standership will allow our staff to achieve long healthy careers. CT

Christopher Klein is the Superintendent of Anne Arundel County Detention in Maryland.

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WASHINGTON WATCH

ACA on the Hill Current legislative action in corrections By BBM Staff A CA is making significant strides on Capitol Hill, advocating for policies that enhance the effectiveness and safety of the correctional system.

Our priorities include rehabilita tion, mental health and substance use treatment, and the overall safety and welfare of both incarcerated individuals and staff. This advocacy will promote evidence-based prac tices and foster informed dialogue among a wide range of stakeholders. Below is a list of high-priority ar eas where ACA is actively engaged: Counter UAS authorities ACA is working with Congress on solutions to address threats from uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) or drones. ACA is engaged in ongoing discussions in both the House and Senate regarding counter-UAS (C UAS) legislation aimed at expanding detection and mitigation authorities through pilot programs to state and local law enforcement, including correctional facilities. Leading leg islative proposals would gradually move the needle on expanding miti gation authorities and capabilities

Adobe Stock/sherryvsmith

beyond a select few Federal agencies. The Senate bill, led by Senators Gary Peters and Ron Johnson, pro poses the most expansive approach, while the House bill, backed by leaders from the Judiciary, Trans portation, and Homeland Security Committees, offers a more limited expansion. ACA has successfully highlighted the threats faced by correctional facilities during negotiations on these bills. Congressional offices

now recognize the need to give state and local law enforcement agencies, including corrections, expanded detection and mitigation authority to address today’s significant threats and have recognized that our cor rectional facilities are dealing with these threats every day. We are hopeful that compromise legislation can be finalized before the end of this Congress. No matter the outcome, ACA’s work this year has positioned us well to continue

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advocating for these critical needs in the new Congress starting in January 2025. Reentry ACA is leading efforts to promote comprehensive reentry programs that assist individuals transitioning back into society. By advocating for evidence-based practices, ACA aims to reduce recidivism rates and create safer communities. ACA Execu tive Director Rob Green is actively engaging key lawmakers to support the bipartisan Second Chance Reau thorization Act , which would: – Reauthorize essential grant programs that provide ser vices and resources for people reintegrating into their commu nities after incarceration; – Expand the permissible uses for supportive and transitional housing services for individu als returning from prison and jail; and – Enhance addiction treatment services for those with sub stance use disorders, including The Senate is currently considering the Second Chance Reau thorization Act as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) measure. Mental health and substance use treatment Recognizing the critical need for mental health and substance use treatment within correctional peer recovery services, case management, and overdose prevention.

facilities, ACA has prioritized legislation that enhances access to these services. Of note, ACA is sup porting the bipartisan Supporting Treatment and Recovery Over Narcot ics for Growth, Empowerment, and Rehabilitation (STRONGER) Act, which would reauthorize Residen tial Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funding through Fiscal Year 2029 and provide critical updates to the program, including allowing grantees to use RSAT funds to offer treatment to individuals pretrial. By advocating for evidence based practices, ACA aims to reduce recidivism rates and create safer communities. Federal health benefits in correctional facilities ACA is supporting bipartisan ef forts to amend the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) through the Due Process Continuity of Care Act and Reentry Act . These bills aim to im prove care coordination and maintain access to federal health benefits for eli gible individuals in local jails, allowing pre-trial detainees to receive Medicaid benefits at the state’s discretion and enabling Medicaid payment for medi cal services during the 30 days prior to release. Passage of this bipartisan legislation would lead to better care, reduced taxpayer costs, decreased crime and recidivism, and improved public safety.

Additionally, the ACA is collabo rating with fellow stakeholders on new requirements passed as part of the Omnibus Consolidated Appro priations Act of 2023, which enacted the first nationwide change to the inmate exclusion by authorizing Medicaid and CHIP to cover some services for incarcerated youth. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2025. Fiscal year 2025 appropriations Adequate funding is crucial for implementing effective correctional programs. ACA continues to advocate for increased resources to support facility improvements, staff training, and essential rehabilitation services. When Congress returns after the November elections, the House and Senate will focus on FY 2025 spending negotiations. Recently, Congress passed a stopgap spending bill to keep the government operat ing through December 20, avoiding a shutdown but setting the stage for a spending showdown just before Christmas. ACA is collaborating with fellow stakeholders to urge lawmakers to pass annual appropriations mea sures with robust funding for public safety grant programs. ACA’s proactive approach on Capitol Hill highlights our com mitment to advancing policies that enhance the correctional system and support the well-being of individuals in custody and their communities. As we continue to advocate for these critical issues, we will reach out for your feedback and support. Stay tuned for more updates on ACA’s efforts and initiatives! CT

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