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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