The North American Association of Wardens & Superintendents (NAAWS) held their annual conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 16 through 20. Approximately 350 participants representing 28 states and Canada attended quality workshops and events. President Mel Williams, Superintendent of the Willard Correctional Facility in New York, credits his Conference Committee and many dedicated Louisiana correctional employees and volunteers for the successful training experience.
Retired Lt. General Russel Honore provided the keynote session on “Leadership & Preparedness in the 21st Century.” Honore commanded the Joint Task Force-Katrina (leading the Department of Defense’s response to hurricanes Katrina and Rina in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana). Participants were provided many leadership strategies and concepts applicable to the correctional setting such as:
- Arriving on the scene of a disaster — you must be the calm in the storm
- Work through the chaos and confusion — don’t add to it
- Can’t do everything at once — establish a Priority of Work
- Look for quick wins
- In a disaster, you are the priority — if you ask for it, you’ll get it
- Need decision superiority – See First, Understand First, Act First
- Collaboration is key — everyone has a boss — unity of effort, not unity of command
- Must give the media access — if you’re not speaking, someone else will speak for you
- Deal with the misinformation put out by others
- Your audio and video have to match, do what you say
- Leaders take responsibility for what happens — good, bad, or ugly
- Don’t play blame games
A variety of workshops were provided. Here are a few topics of interest to participants:
- State of the Economy: Its’ Impact on Corrections and Wardens
- Re-entry Court
- The Russian Mafia
- Leadership Competencies
- Special Programs for Special Needs Patients
- How to Manage Prison Populations
- Let’s Get Practical: Real Answers to Inmate Self-Injury
Although many quality presentations were offered, a session on managing prisons presented by Warden Nathan Burl Cain of Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) – Angola received much praise. Once known as the “Bloodiest Prison in America,” under Warden Cain’s leadership, LSP has become one of the safest, most secure and progressive maximum security prisons in the nation.
LSP has over 5,000 inmates on 18,000 acres of the finest farm land in the south. As warden of the nation’s largest “lifer” and maximum security prison, Warden Cain implemented innovative and constructive programs for inmates to include an inmate theological seminary, six chapels, prison museum, inmate radio station, and an award winning Hospice Program where inmates assist inmates during their remaining time at the prison.
A highlight of the NAAWS conference was attending the world famous prison rodeo and inmate arts and craft show. The “Wildest Show in the South” brought in $517,000 on the day we attended and over $1,000,000 for the entire weekend. Revenue pays for Baptist seminary classes, funerals for inmates, educational programs and maintenance of the prison chapels. Black and white striped cowboys competed in heart-stopping events such as:
Bull Riding — This dangerous and wide open event is what the fans come to see. Inexperienced inmates sit on top of a 2,000 pound Brahma bull. To be eligible for the coveted “All-Around Cowboy” title, a contestant must successfully complete the ride (it lasts six seconds). The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rules govern this event.
Convict Poker — Four inmate cowboys sit at a table in the middle of the arena playing a friendly game of poker. Suddenly, a wild bull is released with the sole purpose of unseating the poker players. The last man remaining seated is the winner.
Guts & Glory — A chit (poker chip) is tied to the meanest, toughest Brahma bull available. The object here is to get close enough to the bull in order to snatch the chit. This is the last event of the day, and perhaps the most exciting.
Retired Federal Penitentiary Warden Pat Koehane coordinated with 36 vendors who displayed the latest in technology and operational products ranging from medical, transport, drug detection to ministry and software programs. Much interest was directed to “The Navigators” booth, where Chuck Broughton provided information on intercultural training to include the extensive religious prison programs which converted the Angola Penitentiary to a safe and humane model for prisons throughout the world.
Next year’s conference is tentatively planned for the Springfield, Missouri area. Additional information will soon be posted on the NAAWS website: www.naaws.com.
