The document discusses the challenges facing corrections professionals today, including increased prison populations, more serious inmate needs, new technology, budget cuts, and negative public perceptions. It emphasizes that maintaining safety and security should be the top priority for corrections agencies over inmate programs. Other challenges include high staff turnover, the importance of extensive training, the psychological toll of executions, and preparing inmates for successful reentry. The document outlines how to create a culture of professionalism through shared values and standards, and relationships with oversight bodies. It describes the recruitment and recognition processes used by professional corrections agencies.

1. Chapter 17
Professionalism in Corrections
McGraw-Hill/Irwin © 2013 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

2. Today’s Challenges
 The Expansion of Prison Construction
 More than half of all the prisons in the
U.S. have been built within the past 20
years. An average of four prisons
constructed per month.
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3. Today’s Challenges
- Continued
 Who Is Entering Our Jails and
Prisons?
 Prisoners with more serious needs are
entering the system, and their needs are
often unmet.
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4. Today’s Challenges
- Continued
 New Technology
 New technology is being implemented
in corrections but the process remains
slow
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5. Today’s Challenges
- Continued
 The Effects of 9/11
 In preparation for attacks by terrorists,
funding to prisons has been cut
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6. Today’s Challenges
-Continued
 The Public Image of Corrections
 As it impacts the correctional
administrator’s ability to recruit quality
employees, provide essential intensive
training, encourage continuous
professional development training
efforts, and, ultimately, foster
professionalism
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7. Today’s Challenges
- Continued
 Safety First
 Correctional personnel see the mission of
a professional correctional agency as
delivery of safe and secure corrections
services.
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8. Today’s Challenges
- Continued
 Inmate Programs Second
 Correctional education is one inmate
program that does work.
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9. Today’s Challenges
- Continued
 Recruitment
 The corrections profession remains in
critical status because the turnover
rate remains high
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10. Today’s Challenges
- Continued
 The Importance of Training
 The importance of training cannot be
overstated. Lack of proper training may
result in poor decision making, and the
consequences may be problematic.
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11. Today’s Challenges
- Continued
 Execution Teams
 Executions are complex and very
difficult processes that require a high
level of training and professionalism.
 Those who take part in the process are
affected by the psychological burden.
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12. Today’s Challenges
- Continued
 Inmates
 Prisoner reentry is one of the most
pressing problems we face.
 We must conduct inmate programs
to prepare inmates to return to
communities as law-abiding
citizens.
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13. Professionalism
 Commitment to a set of agreed-upon
values aimed towards the
improvement of the organization while
maintaining the highest standards of
excellence and dissemination of
knowledge
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14. How To Create Professionalism
 Purpose – the reason the
organization exists
 Mission – what is done to support
the purpose
 Vision – future orientation
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15. Relationships With Other
Professionals
 Governor – there must be a clear
correctional philosophy and course of
action that can be agreed-upon
 Legislature – will have to approve many
of the programs and all legislative bills
necessary to effect positive change
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16. American Correctional Association
(ACA)
 Oldest and largest membership
organization dedicated to the
improvement of corrections
 Conducts workshops, seminars,
exhibits, and networking
opportunities
 Hosts two annual conferences
 Corrections Certification Program
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17. Recruitment
 Comprehensive application
 Written examination
 Local agency check
 Background check
 Psychological screening
 Personal interview
 Polygraph
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18. Employee Recognition
 In situations where an employee
performs his or her duties beyond
expectations, receives a
promotion, completes a degree
program, and so on, that
employee’s efforts should be
recognized.
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