I conduct a lot of training in criminal justice academies. In my travels, I have noticed that there is always something that I can learn by talking to jail officers and staff who are still active in the field. Experience is a great teacher, and correctional officers learn new things about corrections and inmates all the time. We trainers have to come up with ways to channel that knowledge based on years of experience. If you hold the field of corrections in high regard and view it a noble profession, as I do, it is important that young officers learn what we know.
In one of my in service classes, Manipulating the System: How Inmates Get Ahead, I conduct a class exercise:
You are a veteran jail corrections officer, with over 12 years of experience. Today, the superintendent calls you to his office. He is announcing a new basic training program for new officers fresh out of the academy. A group of 30 new officers is graduating next week and will meet in the roll call room the morning after graduation. In view of your excellent service record, he assigns you to present advice about working with inmates in a correctional facility. What are you going to tell them?
This opens a good class discussion. Try this approach in a roll call or staff meeting training session with new or inexperienced officers in attendance. Or right before graduation, have a question and answer session and address the rookies. What about working with inmates would you tell new officers? How would you get their attention? After all, do we remember how we were when we graduated from the academy? We were excited, we were trained and we were ready to go!
One thing to remember is that while most new officers will probably listen, some will think that they are too smart for the inmates. It’s up to the trainer, with information from veterans, to present information and advice about inmates that can be remembered and applied.
Several years ago, I explored this subject with several colleagues in the field. Here is some advice about inmates from experienced veteran staff. I have condensed the training tips down to twelve. It’s an interesting list; each bullet point will require some backup advice and clarification. This is where experience on the job can play a vital role.
- Don’t be complacent; at all times expect the unexpected.
- Be aware of your surroundings: where you are and who you are with at all times.
- Searching equals safety for all: staff, inmates and the public.
- Absorb all training and get as much training as you can; always learn new and better ways to do your job. Never grow stale.
- Embrace change; the corrections field, like all fields, constantly changes.
- As you learn job skills and gain experience, be confident.
- Back up your word with inmates; have integrity and earn credibility with them.
- Learn to say no. It doesn’t have to be rude. Be firm. No is one word that you have to say, and mean.
- Remember that inmates, like us, are people. All people like to be addressed and treated with dignity.
- Maintain a distance. Inmates are not your friends. Keep it professional when you interact with them.
- No matter how nice and friendly an inmate appears, never trust an inmate.
- Your ‘gut’ will develop with time on the job. It’s an accurate barometer about dealing with situations based on training, learning and experience. Pay attention to it.
Also, you can get more advice from field training officers who train new officers after the academy and on the job before they are ‘cut loose’ to work independently. FTOs represent the best in your agency. Have a meeting and get their collective advice.
Finally, before you release the new officers from training, talk to them and see if what they have learned from working with inmates is similar to the advice that they were told. The first six months on the job is usually an eye opener.
This is just a different approach for the ‘newbies.’ Good Luck!!
Reference:
Cornelius, Gary F. (September 6, 2010). The Twenty Minute Trainer: What Do You Tell a Rookie? Corrections.com. The Corrections Connection, www.corrections.com.
