Inmate Behavior Management

Transcription

1 Inmate Behavior Management Presented by Jerry Barratt and Wayne Dicky American Correctional Association Indianapolis

2 Inmate Behavior Management Introducing Inmate Behavior Management 2

3 Who s in control? Are inmate activities and behavior under control in our jail at all times? What do inmates do that create problems in our jails? 3

4 Benefits If you were able to better manage and control inmate behavior, what are some specific benefits the jail might see? Let s include benefits to Administration Staff Inmates Community 4

5 The question then becomes: If we could achieve all those benefits from effectively managing inmate behavior Why do we see so many jails whose inmates are out of control? 5

6 Inmate Behavior Management Physical containment alone didn t give us control over inmates! We must MANAGE inmate behavior to achieve the results we desire. 6

7 Inmate Behavior Management Requires a shift in focus from containing inmate behavior to managing inmate behavior Requires a shift in focus from reactive strategies to proactive strategies 7

8 Six Elements 1. Assessing inmates risks and needs 2. Assigning inmates to housing 3. Meeting inmates basic needs 8

9 Six Elements 4. Defining and conveying expectations for inmate behavior 5. Supervising inmates 6. Keeping inmates productively occupied 9

10 Inmate Behavior Management Element #1: Assessing Inmates Risks and Needs 10

11 Risk A measure of dangerousness. Need A physiological or psychological requirement for well-being. 11

12 Assess Both Risk and Need The level of risk inmates present and their needs both directly affect their behavior and how we respond to that behavior. All inmates do not require the same type of officer/staff response. This concept is more important in a jail setting than in prison setting. Assessing risk and need is simply a process of collecting information that tells us who the inmates are and allows us to manage them. Inmates are separated into clearly defined categories based on predictive profiles 12

13 Inmate Behavior Management Element #2: Assigning Inmates to Housing 13

14 Grouping Inmates Effectively A valid assessment process allows for a systematic approach to housing inmates We know who the inmates are; Have identified which inmates should be grouped together; Have determined where these groups will be most effectively housed 14

15 The housing plan is based on: Clearly defined management approach Risks and needs in the inmate population. Types/categories of inmates the jail houses (maximum, medium, minimum). Number of inmates within each category. A housing plan is a fluid concept and changes as the characteristics of the population change 15

16 A housing plan should define: Types of inmates that can be housed together Where inmate types will be housed. Delivery of services to each housing unit Level of staff supervision in each unit Programs and activities available to each unit 16

17 Inmate Behavior Management Element #3: Meeting Inmates Basic Needs 17

18 Need A physiological or psychological requirement for well-being. 18

19 The effect of basic needs Addressing the basic needs of the inmates is both the responsibility of the administration and the housing unit officer The purpose of addressing the needs of an inmate is to regulate behavior Most major disturbance have come from the result of issues that surround basic needs 19

20 Inmate Behavior Management Element #4: Defining and Conveying Expectations for Inmate Behavior 20

21 Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Do inmate behaviors cause our expectations, or do our expectations cause or contribute to inmate behaviors? How does someone develop an expectation of what occurs inside a correctional facility? 21

22 Jail Environment Traditionally we have focused our time and resources on the 5% - 10% of inmates that can t or won t behave positively. Focusing on these inmates has instilled the belief that all inmates misbehave. 22

23 This belief has determined how: We build jails. Hire, screen, and train staff. Write policy and procedures. Operate our facilities. No wonder we have problems with inmate behavior! 23

24 Keys to establishing positive expectations Set acceptable expectations of inmate behavior This requires uniform agreement Expectations can vary from unit to unit Must be high but attainable Convey those expectations to the inmate population convey both directly and indirectly Enforce the behavioral expectations that have been set and conveyed. 24

25 Role of the officer What is important to realize if that it is the role of the officer to set, convey, and enforce behavioral expectations. If the officer does not, who will? What are the consequences of someone other than the officer establishing behavioral expectations? 25

26 Inmate motivation We must have a system to encourage inmates to meet our expectations Incentives for positive behavior Disincentives for negative behavior Some people believe inmates should follow orders simply because they are told to. Is that realistic? 26

27 Inmate Behavior Management Element #5: Supervising Inmates 27

28 Supervising Inmates Supervision does not have a universal definition. It is important to clearly identify the role of the officer and the purpose of supervision. Supervision can either be passive or active Passive supervision is similar to the firefighter model Active supervision means that staff monitors and manages inmates to ensure their behavior meets our expectations. It is more of a community policing model. 28

29 Key Elements of Supervising Inmates Remember, inmates cannot be supervised through bars, glass, or over intercoms! 29

30 Staff Actively Supervise Increase staff presence All space is staff space Inmates Increase positive staff/inmate interaction Observe, listen, and pay attention to inmates Respect and consideration from them and us Act fairly Solve small problems and resolve conflicts before they become larger Motivate inmate cooperation 30

31 Staff /Inmate Interaction with a Clear Purpose! To regulate and obtain positive inmate behavior Create voluntary compliance with rules and expectations so the goals of our inmate behavior management plan can be reached! The relationship is staff as the supervisor of inmates 31

32 Role of the officer Staff have the authority to make decisions In some instances decision making authority rests with the shift supervisor and not the officer The officer must be seen as the authoritarian Staff are accountable for unit conditions Accountability is often viewed negatively and should not be 32

33 Role of the officer It is important that staff see inmate supervision as their primary role, and the associated skills as critical to success 33

34 Supervision Strategies Active supervision is a skill that can be easily taught You will be provided with detailed training that is designed to provide you the skills to be successful Active supervision is not a direct supervision concept. Increased interaction is important not constant contact 34

35 Inmate Behavior Management Element #6: Keeping Inmates Productively Occupied 35

36 Productive Activities There is a direct correlation between the availability of productive activities that keep inmates occupied and how successful a jail is at preventing unwanted inmate behavior. 36

37 Categories of Productive Inmate Activities Work inside the housing unit, jail or on work release Positive unstructured activities inside the housing unit How can this be accomplished with limited interaction? 37

38 Categories of Productive Inmate Activities Positive structured activities inside the housing unit How can this be accomplished with limited staff interaction? Organized programs 38

39 Inmate Behavior Management Summary and Closing 39

40 Six Elements 1. Assessing inmates risks and needs 2. Assigning inmates to housing 3. Meeting inmates basic needs 40

41 Six Elements 4. Defining and conveying expectations for inmate behavior 5. Supervising inmates 6. Keeping inmates productively occupied 41

42 Inmate Behavior Management A program that can help us move toward better management of our facilities A program that will help us move toward obtaining all the benefits of a wellmanaged facility 42

43 Inmate Behavior Management A program whose elements can be clearly identified and implemented A program that is based upon more than any one single element 43

44 Inmate Behavior Management 44