There are some staff dynamics that look uncomfortable to the untrained eye. However, many seemingly contentious exchanges are really the expressions of respect. In other words, this is an instance of professional blazing meant in the best of ways.
One of my favorite out-of-state colleagues recently attended a presentation that I conducted about effective icebreakers and group activities. There were two good dynamics in this for me. First, this colleague is an accomplished trainer and would certainly offer good, constructive suggestions to me at the conclusion. Second, the person in question is my all-time favorite sparring partner. She is an incomparably adept blazer, playful and unyielding. Read more…
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joebouchard Security, Self Scrutiny, Staff relations, Training
No one really thinks about a bench when it is not used. Its utility is not usually heeded until it is needed. Perhaps prison programming staff are like a bench.
At times, programming staff suffer professional identity crises. On one hand, these people have been hired to perform specialties. (Librarians, Teachers, Athletic Directors, Chaplains, etc.) On the other hand, they work in a non-traditional professional framework, the paramilitary structure. This is a setting where security supersedes service. Therefore, the programs staff often feel vocationally unimportant in the institutional scheme of things.
This has a potentially detrimental, yet overlooked impact on the facility’s operations. It leads to increased staff divisiveness, lower productivity, absenteeism, and a rapid turn over of staff that are difficult to recruit. Prisoners can capitalize on such weaknesses and compromise the security of any institution.
But, it is up to the non-custody staff to assail professional ambiguity. Read more…
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joebouchard Assessing the organization, Security, Staff relations
The cat’s fur stood on end to make it appear larger and fiercer…
The little dog barked loudly, from the safe side of the fence…
The man sucked in his stomach as the woman on the beach walked by…
These are three common behaviors in nature. We cannot suppose that animals who try to appear formidable or fit do so for any other reason than to ward off predators. Even the beach enthusiast in the example has an instinctual reason to promote a not entirely true image of physical fitness.
But there are times that people perform in order to project a truth. Some of those times, the performer is only convincing herself or himself of that image. That is an instance of self-delusion or image ruse. Read more…
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joebouchard Guest Author, Self Scrutiny, Staff relations
Recently, I presented “Eating the e.training elephant” in Boston for the International Association of Correctional Training Personnel. I was part of a three person team which also included Rachel Donovan and Laura Noonan, both from corrections.com.
The main theme was that by using e.training agencies can have more flexibility. It was based on the old question, “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer is, “one bite at a time.” Read more…
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joebouchard Training
Some of us are, for a lack of a better term, rocks. We have the confidence to stay in the middle of the stream, facing the steady flow of water in an unwavering manner. True, pressures of the flow erode confidence for many. But, resolute strength keeps the confident in the game. 
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joebouchard Assessing the organization, Self Scrutiny, Staff relations
Integrity is often considered a difficult, lofty concept. Really, it can be defined in simple terms: doing the right thing, telling the truth, being dependable and professional, etc. Integrity occurs in a variety of examples. Sometimes we need to look a little bit beneath the surface to benefit from the lesson.
I have a friend who was recently called to be a juror. Hers was not a case of zipping down to the local court for a quick session of voir dire. The call came from the Federal Court, some seventy miles distant from her house. Read more…
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joebouchard Assessing the organization, Self Scrutiny, Uncategorized
Giving someone a meal will keep hunger away for a day. But to teach a person to fish can keep hunger away forever. The role of a true mentor is to plant the seeds of capability and knowledge in fertile ground.
When the experienced become mentors, corrections has a potentially potent tool for staff training. Granted, policy and procedure are written cues on how any new person should perform. But experience-laden advice about how most prisoners are likely to react to any given situation is also very valuable. Read more…
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joebouchard Assessing the organization, Staff relations, Training
Assertive behaviors and aggressive gestures are like the truth. It is all in the eyes of the beholder. Like so many things in life, this, like the truth, is relative. It is usually absolute.
An airport is a wonderful place to people watch and to ponder assertion and aggression. So much can be learned by how we move. We rush from place to place in groups as though we are herd animals.
But there are variations. Read more…
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joebouchard Self Scrutiny, Staff relations
The following is an excerpt from Joe Bouchard’s keynote speech to the Wisconsin Correctional Association in September. Thanks to the wonderful corrections professionals that make up this association.
Staff division is like an immense wall barring access to the ideal of safety. The existence of division makes possible lapsed vigilance, vengeance, sabotage, and even violence. Sadly, this is one of corrections’ stressors over which we have a degree of command – but never seem to control.
Identifying that which divides us is very simple. It is difficult, however, to reverse inter-staff animosity and derision once it starts. Read more…
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joebouchard Self Scrutiny, Staff relations, Training
Like cuddling a cactus, dealing with bullies in any vocation is about as uncomfortable as one can get. This discomfort is intensified in the always dangerous profession of corrections. Still, the hurt is mitigated a bit if we can gain an understanding of the many nuances of the problem. This allows us more information find a solution.
Recently, I presented “Destination Intimidation: Bullying in Corrections” At a large state correctional association conference. The following week, I presented the same program at and at an Eastern county correctional association conference.
Among the many techniques that bullies use, I explained to both groups the POINTS bully classification that I created. Read more…
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joebouchard Self Scrutiny, Staff relations
