Foundations

It seems that we ascend an endless set of steps in the pursuit of safety.  Contraband is a common menace in prisons.  It will exist as long as there is incarceration.  It is a never-ending proposition.

But an established contraband lord is not free of pressures to maintain an empire of illicit trade.  There are three threats to contraband empires, they are competing prisoners, corrupt staff, and professional staff. Understanding the structure and motives of these three groups will help foster safety for all in correctional facilities.

 Which would you choose as the lesser of two evils? Would you select the
 persistent and efficient criminal whose methods you know? Read more…

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joebouchard Contraband Control

I have heard a few stories about my family’s past concerning the hazards of working in the anthracite coal mines of Eastern Pennsylvania. Clearly, miners faced many perils. Cave-ins, black lung, and poisonous gasses are just a few of these. Of course, these hazards are with the industry today.  And while mining is not quite what it was in Dickson City in the 19th century, I cannot help to wonder if they used canaries in the mines.  The image is evocative and iconic.

Just as in mining, past and present, not everyone would willingly work in corrections.  Read more…

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joebouchard Security

Recently, I was invited to speak in Virginia on the topic of contraband control.  It was a fantastic experiene. I met fascinating jail professionals and enjoyed a location that was new to me.  And while I cannot fully share the actual tourist attractions or cuisine with you through the written word, I can offer you a part of the conference. 

At the conclusion of “Wake up and Smell the Contraband”, there were many who volunteered to offer answers for a survey.  Their answers follow: Read more…

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joebouchard Contraband Control

It is clear that Pre-release mock job interviews offer direct benefits to inmate students and their teachers.  The former gains confidence from the successful completion of the interview itself.  The latter can attribute part of the students’ success to their abilities as instructors. 

But the indirect benefits are rarely examined.  Custody staff benefit from prisoners participating in vocational education in the same ways that programs enhance security.  A busy, productive prisoner body eases tensions in the facility.  And all prisoners are permitted to feel hope from the promise of another program that supports reintegration.  Read more…

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joebouchard Training

Q. What has three legs but usually uses just two of them?

A. Most contraband control systems.

Consider the steady flow of contraband. It is seemingly as unstoppable as a widespread infestation. As corrections professionals, we can readily recognize that the dangers of the unofficial economy are very real.  Each of us, as an agent of stability, battle to level this playing field through the elimination of contraband.  By doing so, we work towards the ideal of achieving greater security for staff, offenders, and the public. Read more…

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joebouchard Contraband Control

Isn’t it funny when you are engaged in an activity that you enjoy, you lose track of time? 

Mahjong and solitaire are examples of this.  And most of us can relate to telling a loved one that we will log off the computer soon – but that does not come until much later. 

For me, this mysterious warping of time is also true of writing.  Often, as my fingers fly across the keyboard, I find myself looking  at the clock for a second time.  What seemed to me like mere minutes passing was actually hours.  Time flies when you are having fun

In addition, the Foundations website is one year old on April 29th.  I see that as a nice time to take a literary break – a good, round number.  Please don’t construe this, Dear Reader, as a lazy Bouchard.  I am just going to recharge my batteries and enjoy some of the Spring. 

I hope that you have enjoyed reading my thoughts so far.  I have truly enjoyed writing and have gained insight from your comments.  Thanks for reading.  I will write back later.

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joebouchard Dear Reader

At first glance, a colleague of mine seemed like a crusty corrections veteran with a predilection for enforcing the rules.  We often joke that in his spare time he goes to a local discount store and writes misconduct reports on shoppers who are not wearing regulation shoes.  We know (or suspect) that it is not really true.  That is the nature of camaraderie in corrections.

But, still water runs deep.  If one waits and listens patiently, nuances of others’ personality slowly appear. Above all, our profession teaches us that there are more than surface impressions to consider.

Although my rule enforcing colleague used his well-cultivated work persona to maintain a balanced, formidable exterior for an often precarious vocation, he surprised me from time to time.  He would let slip some corrections truisms from on occasion.  One of my favorites was, “Pay day and quitting time will get here on time”.  Like his work persona, on the face of it, it is what it is.  However there is more, if one delves a bit deeper. Read more…

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joebouchard Self Scrutiny

As corrections professionals, we should always be aware that those outside the profession do not have our same perspective.   Our many different professional paths and experiences make this a truth. There is another awareness connected to this.  We will react in some way (silent or not) to comments that do not appear to be accurate.  Sometimes this may lead to an introspective stream of thought.

Recently, I attended a meeting at an education institution, a non-corrections meeting at a college.  Read more…

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joebouchard Inside Out, Self Scrutiny

Any seasoned corrections professional knows that contraband equals power.  Even if it is not overtly or obviously a weapon, any item still can be traded.  Trading dynamic may be the catalyst of violence between competing individuals or groups. In short, the barter of forbidden items and services is the foundation of chaos. 

Judging a book by its cover, the title of this essay would seem to be a review of works about contraband.  But, as in corrections, the true nature of things may not be apparent at first glance.  The following is about the nuts and bolts of items found in book, or if you wish, literature. It is a fact that contraband can be hidden almost anywhere.  However, the library is a prime location to conceal and move bootleg. Read more…

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joebouchard Contraband Control

Sometimes when we make plans to improve elements of our institutional culture, we do so with high optimism.  The sky is the limit in what may be achieved.  However, our expectations may fall in mid-flight as the harsh truths of corrections charge in at us from the horizon. By surveying the landscape, we can battle our fear of flying.

There are seven vocational concepts that we should consider when we endeavor to improve the culture of our institution. Read more…

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joebouchard Assessing the organization, Staff relations