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Disinfectant Guidelines: What Corrections Administrators Need to Know

Michael Wilson

COVID-19 has impacted correctional facilities throughout the country in staggering numbers. In April and May 2020, Rikers Island, which is part of New York City''s corrections complex, was reported to be "the epicenter of the epicenter," when New York State reported more COVID cases than any other state in the union... read full story

Also this week:

• Corrections In 2020
• Unlock Your Potential as a Corrections Officer: The Keys to Inmate Management
• Is Crime Control Dead?
• Corrections leaders: It is on with the impossible - treating mentally ill in a correctional setting - Part 2

NCCHC Hires Health Care Quality Expert to Lead Accreditation

National Commission on Correctional Health Care

Chicago - Amy Panagopoulos, MBA, BSN, RN, has joined the National Commission on Correctional Health Care as vice president of accreditation. She brings to the role more than 20 years of progressive health care leadership and clinical experience, including 15-plus years in health care quality, safety, and accreditation... read full story

Also this week:

• Coronavirus And Crime - Gun Violence Increases - 82 Police Officers Dead
• Juvenile Programs and Projects
• Addressing COVID-19 Issues in Correctional Facilities
• Criminal Rehabilitation Programs - Some Work - Most Don't

Addressing COVID-19 Issues in Correctional Facilities

Robert Kravitz

What's happening today in some Michigan correctional facilities as a result of COVID-19 (coronavirus) is an example of what is likely happening around the country. For instance, many Michigan inmates do not want administrators to know they are sick. Some fear that if administrators find out, they will be isolated from the correctional population, separated from their personal possessions, or possibly moved into solitary confinement... read full story

Also this week:

• Coronavirus And Crime - Gun Violence Increases - 82 Police Officers Dead
• Keep Covid Out of the Jail!
• Should We Bring Back the Toilet Lid
• Criminal Rehabilitation Programs - Some Work - Most Don't

Three Concepts of Rehabilitation

Gary F. Cornelius

In corrections, we often hear the word rehabilitation. That word and ones similar to it are seen a lot in corrections. A citizen asks a jail superintendent 'What types of rehabilitation programs does your jail offer inmates?' A jail education teacher states that by attending her class, the inmates have a chance at rehabilitating themselves. Moreover, let us not forget the inmate who tells the judge that he is working hard at his 'rehabilitation'. In November 2015, I wrote a column for the Corrections Connection: 'Volunteers, Change and Cupid the Cat'. In this column, I would like to discuss change in more depth, as well as three concepts. They are rehabilitation, change and narcissism... read full story

Also this week:

• NCCHC Hires Health Care Quality Expert to Lead Accreditation
• Juvenile Programs and Projects
• Addressing COVID-19 Issues in Correctional Facilities
• Criminal Rehabilitation Programs - Some Work - Most Don't

Juvenile Programs and Projects

Terry Campbell

Our topic this month is 'Juvenile Programs and Projects.' There are several areas I will discuss, including Juveniles and COVID-19. Unfortunately, we are still trying to find the ideal programs to assist juveniles and prevent their return to the juvenile system or eventual incarceration in an adult facility. We do well in identifying factors that contribute toward juvenile crime. There are several challenges also; support mechanism that is positive; youth is returned right back into the environment where they committed the crime; medical and mental health issues; abuse; drug and alcohol issues; involvement in gangs; basic needs not being met, stress and pressures, and many other barriers... read full story

Also this week:

• Coronavirus And Crime - Gun Violence Increases - 82 Police Officers Dead
• Keep Covid Out of the Jail!
• Addressing COVID-19 Issues in Correctional Facilities
• Criminal Rehabilitation Programs - Some Work - Most Don't

Preserving Sacred Traditions During a Pandemic: Corrections Employee at Women's Prison in Belfair, Washington Wins Award for Her Work in Native Programs

Rachel Friederich

BELFAIR, WASHINGTON-JoiSky Caudill ignites a bundle of cedar and sweet grass inside an abalone shell at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women (MCCCW). With an eagle feather, she brushes the smoke around the incarcerated women's faces, hands and feet. As she moves between the women, they sing. The smudging ceremony is one that goes back centuries in Native communities. In many Native cultures, it's a means of purification and cleansing. Caudill has kept this tribal ceremony, along with several others, alive with a few modifications as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to postpone or cancel correctional enrichment programs statewide... read full story

Also this week:

• Per Cops - No Justice - No Peace
• Crisis and High Risk Offenders
• Social Workers Need To Step Up And Replace Cops
• Disinfectant Guidelines: What Corrections Administrators Need to Know

Unlock Your Potential as a Corrections Officer: The Keys to Inmate Management

Gary F. Cornelius, First Lt. (Retired)

After working inside a large urban county jail for 27 plus years, I learned a few 'tricks of the trade'. In my in-service trainings, I see that veteran corrections officers (COs) all agree that this job teaches you two things. First, you interact with every type of person represented in society. Concerning inmates, you deal with the strong, the weak, the loud, the quiet, the fearful, the hard core and the mentally ill. You deal with first time offenders, veteran, hard-core 'frequent fliers', and surprisingly, inmates who want to change their lives and get out. (Yes-some inmates DO want to re-enter society as law-abiding citizens). Second, with all of these groups, behaviors and personalities, you do learn ways to handle them, defuse arguments, calm them down, and so on... read full story

Also this week:

• COVID-19 Testing: A Review of the Basics
• What to Do When an Inmate Gets Sick with COVID-19
• Food & Agriculture
• Corrections leaders: It is on with the impossible - treating mentally ill in a correctional setting - Part 2

Criminal Rehabilitation Programs - Some Work - Most Don't

Leonard A. Sipes, Jr.

There are endless numbers of advocates and criminologists who insist that all offender rehabilitation programs substantially reduce recidivism (i.e., new crimes, convictions, and reincarcerations). Are they correct? Crime Solutions.Gov is one of the best ideas of the US Department of Justice. It was started by Laurie Robinson, the former Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). We now have a wide array of evaluations as to crime and justice programs that guide us as to the worthiness of possible interventions... read full story

Also this week:

• Coronavirus And Crime - Gun Violence Increases - 82 Police Officers Dead
• Keep Covid Out of the Jail!
• Should We Bring Back the Toilet Lid
• Specialized Smartphones Could Keep Released Offenders on Track for Successful Reentry

Crisis and High Risk Offenders

Terry Campbell

Our topic for July is timely. We find many of our corrections systems dealing with the COVID crisis. Included are community release programs, juvenile supervision, various treatment programs, and classification and risk needs adjustments. The impact from COVID has a tremendous impact upon the following areas: safety and security concerns; visitation; adequate resources, and other. Altering and adjustments are required due to this crisis... read full story

Also this week:

• Corrections In 2020
• Unlock Your Potential as a Corrections Officer: The Keys to Inmate Management
• Is Crime Control Dead?
• Disinfectant Guidelines: What Corrections Administrators Need to Know

Keep Covid Out of the Jail!

Jeffrey E. Keller MD

"We've got another one," My nurse told me on the phone. "He says he was exposed to Covid." Ever since Covid-19 came to my town, many people being arrested have begun to say that they have Covid or have been exposed; the thought being that "If I have Covid, they can't put me in jail." Of course, it doesn't work that way. They go to jail anyway... read full story

Also this week:

• Increased Criminality and Correctional-Law Enforcement Budgets Cuts Are Coming
• Cellblock Door Visits: They Are Not 'House Calls'
• Should We Bring Back the Toilet Lid
• Specialized Smartphones Could Keep Released Offenders on Track for Successful Reentry

Is Crime Control Dead?

Leonard A. Sipes, Jr.

We are currently in a heated national debate regarding race, cops, bail, incarceration, arrest policies, stops, and actions on the part of the justice system. Some demand a revision of current practices, especially as they apply to police use of force. The justice system gets this; things have to change, Defunding The Police-What Cops Support. But crime control seems to be completely absent from the discussions. Cops understand that the use of force on the part of some range from wrong to criminal, but they insist that most do not unlawfully abuse anyone... read full story

Also this week:

• Corrections In 2020
• Unlock Your Potential as a Corrections Officer: The Keys to Inmate Management
• Food & Agriculture
• Corrections leaders: It is on with the impossible - treating mentally ill in a correctional setting - Part 2

Disinfectants: More We Should Know

Robert Kravitz

Last month, there was an article in this publication about the use of disinfectants in correctional facilities. A link to that article is here. If you did not read that article, it is well worth reviewing. It details how to select and use disinfectants in a correctional facility... read full story

Also this week:

• NCCHC Launches Correctional Health Foundation
• Crisis and High Risk Offenders
• Social Workers Need To Step Up And Replace Cops
• Preserving Sacred Traditions During a Pandemic: Corrections Employee at Women's Prison in Belfair, Washington Wins Award for Her Work in Native Programs

Corrections In 2020

Gerard Horgan, Retired Special Sheriff/Superintendent

2020 has been a year that has challenged us in more ways that we could have ever imagined. These past months have been particularly disturbing and should cause each of us in corrections to reflect of how we can contribute to a positive change for our country. Corrections has long been the overlooked part of the criminal justice system. With the entire criminal justice system being justifiably scrutinized, I thought I would share my experiences working in the corrections system that the public is generally unaware of... read full story

Also this week:

• COVID-19 Testing: A Review of the Basics
• Unlock Your Potential as a Corrections Officer: The Keys to Inmate Management
• Food & Agriculture
• Corrections leaders: It is on with the impossible - treating mentally ill in a correctional setting - Part 2

Food & Agriculture

Terry Campbell

Our June topic looks at 'Food & Agriculture' in corrections. These two areas are very important. I will cover the following topics in this article: Legal Issues; Meal Preparation; Dietary Concerns (Nutritious, Religious, and Medical Requirements); Safety and Security Concerns; Prison Farm and Agriculture; and COVID-19. These topics are not in any particular order... read full story

Also this week:

• COVID-19 Testing: A Review of the Basics
• What to Do When an Inmate Gets Sick with COVID-19
• Three Concepts of Rehabilitation
• Corrections leaders: It is on with the impossible - treating mentally ill in a correctional setting - Part 1