Topic: Letter of The Law / Is ethics missing from training programs?

Do you have a training program focused just on ethics? Should ethics training be required?

Topic: A Broader View / Will Barack Obama and his new administration have an impact on corrections issues?

Will Barack Obama and his new administration have an impact on corrections issues?

Topic: A Broader View / What are the biggest challenges in organizing and operating jails?

What are the foremost challenges faced by the correctional system in organizing and operating jails?

Topic: The Club House / Need to be a citizen to work in U.S. corrections?

I am a permanent resident in the U.S. with a green card. But, do I have to be an American citizen to work in a correctional facility?

Are there corrections jobs available where you don’t need to be U.S. citizen?

Antonio antinouus@comcast.net

Topic: The Club House / When the facility gets maxed out

When a facility gets so filled with inmates that there is just no room left to house anyone else, where do new inmates go?

Topic: Everything Education / Is your corrections library allowed to have hardcover books?

Is your corrections library allowed to have hardcover books?

Topic: Tech Talk / TV Transmitters

Can anyone provide me with some information on TV Transmitters to use in a dormitory style setting? Looking for a company to contact.

Thanks

Jimmy Patrick, Warden II Limestone CF Jimmy.Patrick@doc.alabama.gov PH: (256) 233-4600 FAX:(256) 771-2018

Topic: Everything Education / Train the trainer

I am looking for a Train the Trainer Conference or a Fundamentals of Training Conference. Do you know where I could find one?

I am the new Training Officer for the Johnson County Department of Corrections, Juvenile Division and have been searching for a class/conference for months. Thank you!

Brandy L. Hodge Training Officer Juvenile Corrections Johnson County Department of Corrections Brandy.Hodge@jocogov.org 913-764-7411 Fax: 913-764-7110

Topic: Health & Wellness / Medication administration in small jails

How do small, rural jails handle medication administration if they don’t have a nurse on staff?

Is there a training course for detention officers that can certify them to be able to legally pass medications to the inmates?

How do facilities get around the potential legal ramifications of not having a nurse on staff

Lisa Hirsch LHirsch@coconino.az.gov

Topic: Health & Wellness / Controlling diabetes

How can you help offenders control their diabetes without using medication?

Pam Erskine TDCJ Human Resources 936-437-3106 Pam.Erskine@tdcj.state.tx.us

Topic: Health & Wellness / Epileptic treatment guidelines

We’re looking for general treatment guidelines for epileptic/seizure disorder inmates. Are EMT or ER evaluations needed for inmates if jail medical staff is not on hand? Thanks for any input.

Sara Schuette
SaraSchuette@co.manitowoc.wi.us

Topic: A Broader View / Staff incentive ideas for quitting tobacco

All of Michigan DOC will be tobacco free starting February 2009. There will be no smoking, no chew, no tobacco products for prisoners and staff. Does anyone have any suggestion for staff rewards and incentives? It could be anything, any price. We prefer low or no cost options, but any idea is important and could be a springboard to another thought. It could be anything you’ve seen at your agency or your own concept. I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks so much,

Joe Bouchard, Michigan DOC (906) 353-7070 ext 1321

Topic: A Broader View / Checks & Balances?

The poster’s comments are quite valid. There have been major criticisms of the ACA’s accreditation process at least since Chief Judge David Bazelon of the DC Circuit Court wrote a 51-page letter of resignation from the accreditation commission in 1982.

The ACA is notorious in particular for doing softball inspections of institutions owned or operated by the for-profit prison industry. ACA officials have suppressed the expressions of reservations about their cozy relationship with entities they are supposed to be auditing. The organization benefits from this rubber stamping in the form of five-figure conference sponsorships, plenary speakers, accreditation fees, training materials, advertising in Corrections Magazine, etc.

With few exceptions, the states which use local for-profits or export their prisoners are just as ineffective in insuring the safety of the public or their prisoners. Normally, these offenders are out of sight and out of mind, and hosting and sending states resist input from whistleblowers. Monitoring is almost universally haphazard and unprofessional.

The for-profits can substantially increase their bottom lines by deliberate understaffing. I don’t know of any that resist that temptation.

Frank Smith

Private Corrections Institute, a citizen watchdog non-profit

www.privateci.org

Topic: A Broader View / Checks & Balances?

Absolutely, I have said that for years that inspection teams should just show up unannounced. I have been in corrections 13 years and to this day I have always known when a inspection is going to take place. problem lies within the higher echelon. They are all buddies so the big man calls and says hey we are coming down next week. well everything stops security wise because all the higher ups are worried about is making sure the walls are painted and the floors are waxed.

The

Corrections is becoming a very bad scene in the last five years and it is going to get worse unless we start taking back these institutions. Start staffing these places and give the officers something to defend their self with. why are we going into a fight with bare hands. I never could understand that.

We have the tools to fight with but again higher ups are afraid to use them. I think what that boils down to is they are unfamiliar with what we have and when you can use it. We are just know getting stab resistance vests the only sad thing is, is it took the life of an officer to get these approved.

B.W

Topic: A Broader View / Checks & Balances?

With all the checks and balances we have for institutions, like ACA, CFM, etc., and audits done by various organizations, why isn’t someone looking at staffing to ensure positions are being filled all the time and not just during inspections? Why don’t inspection teams just show up rather than give the institution months to fix everything that is wrong? RF

This would make sure everything is done right all the time, instead of those few days the inspection team is guided through only what they want to see. They mostly just go through the motions, and don't seem to look at anything too closely like rosters, which will show what is going on and question the shift supervisors who have to make due with what they have. The real story behind officer deaths will surface with liabilities lying where they should. A close look into this area may help save lives.

Topic: Everything Education / Programs about youth violence

I work at the Ohio Department of Youth Services, and am looking for information on programs that address youth violence in the prison setting – youth on youth, and youth on staff.

Danny Turek Danny.Turek@dys.ohio.gov

Topic: Everything Education / Looking for training in Washington jails

I am interested in Correctional Officer Survival Training, Gangs in Jail, and Classification of inmates in a jail setting. Is there an opportunity for these types of trainings to be offered in Washington state?

Deputy Brian K. Carlson #36

Kittitas County Corrections Center

205 West 5th Ave Suite 1/Jail

Ellensburg, WA 98926

(509) 962-7651

Fax (509) 962-7037

Topic: Letter of The Law / Second Chance Act

What do you think about the Second Chance Act? Will it be effective in reducing recidivism?

Topic: Security Central / Need more classification assessment training

A reader asks:

I am a classification specialist and it has been years since there was a training on classification assessment and scoring inmates. I would like to see more of this training for our jails, state prisons and other facilities.

Does anyone know of updated training like this?

Thanks.

Virginia Smith BROWARD SHERIFF’S OFFICE, FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. Virginia_Smith@sheriff.org

Topic: A Broader View / Australian CO vet. needs guidance for U.S. move

I am a 26-year veteran CO from Sydney, Australia and I have been to the States a few times. I am very interested in a career with the Sheriff’s Department in Pima County, CA and am inquiring on my chances of becoming an employee with the Sheriff’s Dept.

I know there is a wait time due to me been an Australian citizen, but is there a quicker way to get to getting a job in the U.S.

Brian Kirk Senior Correctional Officer Parklea C.C. Sydney, Australia 61 2 9678 4888 Brian Kirk [mailto:Brian.Kirk@dcs.nsw.gov.au]

Topic: Security Central / Are gangs running our prisons?

Mick, I noticed that you’re with the Irish Prison Service. We’re profiling corrections departments around the world and could use your help by talking to you or someone else in your agency. Can you email me your contact info, so we can discuss this idea more. I’m at editor@corrections.com. Thanks for all of your commentary on the boards too. Jim

Topic: Security Central / Are gangs running our prisons?

Are gangs running our prisons?

Topic: Security Central / Should OC use on juvenile offenders be restricted?

Ohio is trying to add more restrictions to the use of OC on juvenile offenders. Many say OC is safe, for both officer and offender, and should be used instead of physical restraint. What do you think?

Topic: A Broader View / Guidelines for Muslim women's head covering

Need some help on finding information about requirements for Muslim women and their traditional head covering when incarcerated.

Topic: Everything Education / Drill instructor training for bootcamp

Can you help me find training for Drill Instructors for our Correctional Bootcamp. We are looking to find more specific training for our Drill Instructors at the Wyoming State Bootcamp. If there is any way you can help could you please let me know.

Thanks

Corporal Gilbert Nelson Commander Special Operations Response Team Wyoming General Corrections Instructor WHCC Field Training Officer WHCC Training Coordinator Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp/Bootcamp Phone: (307) 746-4436 Ext. 243 Fax: (307) 746-9316 GNELSO@wdoc.state.wy.us