Corrections_Today_September_October_2019_Vol.81_No.5

n Professional Development

summer, and has contracted with Temp Air to provide air conditioning to inmate dormitories, hallways and the older parts of the jail built in the mid-1960s. MSI has 149 correctional officers, 23 correctional officer II (lieutenants), six shift supervisors and one unit manager with case workers. I look at the monthly report statistics and see drops in fights, use of force, staff injuries and I see more taking and resolving issues rather than directing and telling. CT: Why did you choose ACA’s e-learning and certification program? Carson: The Division started purchasing ACA books and standards for supervisors in 2015. Staff had at- tended NABCJ conferences and local ACA meetings and trainings and started incorporating ACA standards into policies and training. After the 2017 ACA conference in St. Louis, the Division encouraged staff to stay involved in ACA and the agency began purchasing training mate- rial and certification materials for staff. This material challenged staff to study policies, standards, post orders and practices to be more in line with ACA standards and best practices. ACA’s courses allowed staff and supervi- sors to upgrade trainings and skills as stepping stones to pursue PREA and other accreditation of both facilities. I am able to call and get advice and technical support from ACA staff and the agency working with our bud- getary restraints. CT: How have ACA’s e-learning and certification programs helped your agency and staff? Carson: Staff are obtaining entry standards and getting out of the “fishbowl” mentality. Sometimes in

corrections, staff can feel alone by thinking, “it’s our way or no way,” and “there is no other way,” or “this is the only way.” ACA allows staff and agencies to look at national standards in areas of safety, security, order, care, program and activity, justice and adminis- tration and management, then make a comparison of where you need to go and how to get to that destination. Staff have taken courses in inmate supervision, direct supervision, motivational interviewing, PREA, inmate orientation, supervising inmate work crews, security rounds, incident command systems, inmate programs, volunteers, lawsuits, searches, contraband, use of force, ethics, wellness, as well as certifications in officers, supervisors, managers and administrators/executives. The environment is stable, inmates and staff communi- cate, and there is noticeable increased confidence in staff doing their job. CT: Were there any challenges in applying the e-learning and certification programs in your agency? Carson: Ensuring that employees have emails and have access to computers in the facility to work on their projects. Facilities have computer labs, computer rooms and computers in the briefing room for staff to use to take classes, check emails and work on projects. CT: Would you recommend ACA e-learning and certification to other agencies? If so, why? Carson: I absolutely would recommend. Increasing skills, competencies, ability and confidence in staff is a priority. ACA walks you through the process and will readily answer any questions. I look at the monthly report statistics and see drops in fights, use of force, staff inju- ries and I see more taking and resolving issues rather than directing and telling.

Casandra DePalma is the director of Professional Development at the American Correctional Association.

Alexander Carrigan, an assistant editor at the American Correctional Association, contributed to this article.

46 — September/October 2019 Corrections Today