Corrections_Today_Winter_2025-2026_Vol.87_No.4

from the archives

Be CHUMPS Cornelius uses the acronym CHUMPS to stand for ways to turn foolishness into assets for working with offenders who play games. The “C” stands for controlling oneself and not being complacent; “H” stands for helping offenders to help themselves; “U” stands for understanding the offenders’ subculture and understanding oneself; “M” stands for maintaining a safe distance; “P” stands for practic ing professionalism by following policy and procedure; and “S” stands for stopping stress so staff are not vulnerable. 6 In having control of oneself and not being complacent, correctional staff members learn to be fair, firm and consistent. These types of staff are en gaged with offenders and challenge excuses by making offenders explain themselves. These staff members do not bend the rules, realizing consistency in rule application is important. In helping inmates help them selves, correctional staff members require inmates to follow the supervisory chain of command. Staff mem bers are not vulnerable because every staff member knows the important aspects of maintaining a healthy living unit. In understanding offender culture, staff generally know the research on offenders. The staff understand the special needs of special populations (i.e., female offenders) and important treatment issues that must be addressed. It is important to understand the of fenders’ culture to find out as much as possible early on about each offender, such as how the problematic offender grew up and survived on the street. It is im portant to know what impacted him or her in the past because this provides clues for effective approaches in the present. Nothing can take the place of staff know ing at all times what’s going on in their facility and when something is out of place. Staff members should observe offenders closely and know the appropriate questions to ask. Staff members’ understanding of their own weaknesses is the best protection against being manipulated.

Planning for success It is extremely important that staff be pre pared and ready to respond to the offenders’ game in a professional manner. The way staff members respond to the games impact offenders’ responsivity to treatment. Staff members need to be careful to assess which offenders are playing the most games and have team strategies to shut the games down. Teamwork on the part of staff is one of the best defenses. Staff members need to learn from their successes and failures, to know themselves well and to never let their guard down. It is important for staff to stay confident, respectful and humble as they learn from the games offenders play and find tools to stay out of the game. In learning to respond to these games, correctional officers will effectively keep the working environment therapeutic and rewarding. CT ENDNOTES 1 Cornelius, G. 2009. The Arl of the Con. Alexandria, Va.: American Correctional Association. 2 Bonta, J. and D.A. Andrews. 2007. Risk-need-responsivity model for offender assessment and rehabilitation. Ottawa, Canada: Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. 3 Allen, B. and D. Bosta. 1993. Games Criminals Play. Sacramento, Calif.: Rae John Publishers. 4 Topham, J. 1999. The sting: Anatomy of a set-up. Corrections Technology and Management, 3(5):20-26.

5 Cornelius, G. 2009.

6 Ibid.

Randy Shively, Ph.D. is the chair of the ACA Behavioral Health Committee and the director of Research and Clinical Development for Alvis, Inc.

Winter 2025-2026 | Corrections Today

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