Joe Bouchard

Contraband and Communications

Joe Bouchard worked in a maximum correctional facility for 25 years and is now retired. He continues to write and present on many corrections topics. He is the former editor of The Correctional Trainer. Bouchard has been an instructor of corrections and criminal justice since 1999. He currently teaches at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College. Bouchard also has online writing clips at www.corrections.com/joe_bouchard. He is also the author of three corrections books for LRP publications and 10 books for IACTP's series of training exercises books. Order now.

Full list of Joe Bouchard results

Contraband control tips for Valentine’s Day
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While contraband control is a year-round endeavor, facilities can see a spike in trading of illicit goods over the Valentine’s Day holiday
How active reactions improve situational awareness in corrections
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While we can’t predict the future, we can plan how we will react to what happens next
How correctional leaders can redirect “glory grabbers”
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These individuals may deliberately sabotage projects to enhance how they look, which can compromise everyone’s safety in corrections
5 concepts for effective contraband control training
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When teaching contraband control, how do you determine what your facility needs and which training styles benefit the learning capacities of your staff?
Correctional work habits you must break for retirement
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Shedding your work-related habits can help you acclimate to a non-corrections life
How manipulative inmates fatigue staff
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Mental fatigue can have dangerous consequences not just for the target, but for all in the facility
How an electronic law library saves money, improves inmate access to information
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Implementing an electronic law library can contain research costs and reduce risks of inmate litigation, while keeping your facility in compliance with specific state mandates
How to build your retirement from corrections
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If you look at retirement like a standard four-sided foundation, it features four cornerstones: activity, financial, physical and emotional
Garden variety of contraband
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Corrections staff should be aware of the potential dangers in the seemingly innocent garden setting
Contraband: Waste paper basket liner weapon
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Waste can liners are used to maintain safety and health standards, but they can also become dangerous weapons
Contraband: Bulletin board bingo
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They are everywhere and few of us seem to see them. In a way, they are like a light switch or a fixture. Mostly, they are taken for granted. But, they serve as a dangerous hiding place. They are bu...
Contraband: Mini bow-and-arrow from pen
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Corrections staff who have family that listen to them are very fortunate. Not only is this a release from the pressures of the job, the empathy is refreshing. I have family members who not only lis...
A measure of danger: Weapons from a tape measure
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A colleague recently asked me, “What could a contrabandist craft from a single tape measure?” This was a good question and something that I had not yet pondered. Her query prompted me to look at th...
Keeping it simple: Weapons-making exercise
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A contraband trick does not have to be elaborate in order to work well
Small item contraband: From nuisance to peril
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Limiting excessive amounts of allowable items is important in controlling illegal trade and preventing unlikely weapons
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