The Role of Agency/Facility Culture in Reducing the Use of Isolation in Secure Juvenile Facilities
This presentation aims to help participants: Understand the influence that facility culture has on the use of isolation and staff retention; Understand research-based characteristics of highly successful organizations; Provide a strategic framework for reducing the use of isolation; Provide an effective framework for improving facility culture – Positive Human Development; Understand key elements to effectively shifting agency/facility culture. Common challenges faced by correctional facilities include the use of isolation and staff retention. Research has shown the influence of leadership and culture on conditions of confinement. This presentation will highlight the key elements of culture change and its powerful influence on the use of isolation and staff retention in correctional facilities. The negative and long-lasting impacts of using isolation as a means of punishment and/or as a behavior management tool will be exposed. Alternative methods to isolation will be discussed as part of introducing participants to a five-step framework for reducing isolation in secure custody settings. Many jurisdictions in the United States have used this framework to successfully improve facility safety and decrease the use of isolation. Common policy elements and practices in juvenile justice facilities in the United States will be discussed. Participants will deepen their understanding of the change management process. The information presented is grounded in research and when implemented properly, has shown to improve facility safety.
