Gordon Graham
Category: Corrections
Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for all my friends in corrections. I want to talk with you about using civilians to help staff your facility.
Implementing a staffing program that uses civilians to bolster sworn staff numbers in non-security positions can improve the overall efficiency, safety, and security of your correctional facility.
The staffing shortage in corrections isn’t a new issue. Agencies across the country are seeing more sworn personnel exiting the field and fewer qualified candidates applying for vacant positions. This results in facilities and sworn staff being overburdened and overworked, struggling to maintain safety and security.
One way to address staffing shortages and the challenges they create involves recruiting and appointing civilians to non-sworn positions. Trained civilians can be highly effective in programs and services such as educational and vocational training, recreation, and treatment. Using them in these areas frees up sworn officers to focus on safety, security, and order.
Inmates may find it easier to talk to a civilian about issues they’re facing. Also, sworn officers can’t be everywhere at once. And security cameras don’t capture everything that occurs in a correctional facility. Civilian staff can add eyes and ears to monitor what goes on in housing and program areas. Using civilians in non-custody positions can also promote inmate rehabilitation and enhance the mission of the agency. Some facilities even use civilians to staff their main control centers.
The key to integrating civilians into your facility is proper training. Training for civilian employees should cover the unique challenges they may encounter while working in a correctional setting. This includes addressing security risks and maintaining professional boundaries with inmates. It should also include how to handle inmate manipulation and situations or circumstances that require reporting or documentation.
Implementing a staffing program that uses civilians to bolster sworn staff numbers in non-security positions can improve the overall efficiency, safety, and security of your correctional facility.
And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.
