Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #8 - Investing in Staff (ACJ8-A000)

Sustaining delivery of quality correctional services is unquestionably challenging. It has to be done under increasing public scrutiny and persistent government demands for measurable cost effective results. Facing change is endemic for corrections. The character and the multiplicity of needs of the clients we serve keeps evolving, new issues come to the forefront, resources are unexpectedly pulled back, and the pendulum of community support for our efforts is constantly swinging. New evidence informed practice isn’t easy to implement and senior corrections officials have difficult choices to make about what new practices to embrace, how and when. In the midst of all of this, our front-line line staff, correctional workers and operational managers alike, are often left feeling confused, pressured, unappreciated and even abandoned. It is not an exaggeration to say that on a daily basis, in order to do their work, correctional staff have to endure perhaps some of the most difficult circumstances of any of the other helping professions. Most rise above and carry on with perseverance and commitment. But some are affected indelibly and only barely cope.

 

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