In the Correctional industry, inmate suicides and self-harm is a big concern. We must do whatever necessary to prevent it. Below are some best practices you may consider. Training is a never-ending endeavor. Creative Corrections, LLC does conduct training in suicide prevention and I'm certain other companies do as well. It's really something that should be considered. The first phase is the empowerment of your staff and inmate population. The focus is to have staff and inmates understand and realize they have the ability and power to help keep someone safe. No one should need permission to initiate suicide watch protocols. No one should need a doctor to determine if someone should or should not be placed on suicide watch. Staff need to know they can initiate an inmate on suicide watch no matter the shift or the time. Additionally, your inmate population must understand they can report to any staff member any information or concern they might have about an individual in your custody contemplating self-harm. Education and training are the focus of the second phase. Most of our staff have had an educational background or life experiences centered on criminal justice. How can we as leaders expected our staff to know how to do something if we have not trained them how to do it? They understand how to apply restraints, but they are not clinicians. We must train our staff to understand the concept of self-harm, not just the signs. It is through understanding and conceptualization, that we can rid our correctional environment of the myths surrounding self-harm. If our staff understand the “Why” of self-harm, we can more effectively combat the “what” and “how” of self-harm. We must also train our inmate population. They need to know to whom they can share their pain and questions. How asking for help is really a sign of strength, not weakness. And, how to shed the cultural stereotypes and embrace the benefits of mental health hygiene. The third phase is your time to shine as a leader. Here you must “Lead from the Front” and reinforce the empowerment of staff and inmates and the education and training they have received. Do not be afraid to put someone on suicide watch, back your staff when they want to place someone on suicide watch and walk and talk with staff and inmates about self-harm. Your staff and population will follow your lead. If you treat this like it is not worth your time, so will they. The first time you disagree with the placement of someone on suicide watch or disregard the information an inmate gives you about another inmate wanting to harm themselves, all the work your administration has done is lost. Ask your team, “are we doing enough when it comes to self-harm or are we just waiting for it to happen?” Be pro-active. Remember failing to plan is planning to fail.
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Creative Corrections, LLC, is the only prison auditing company in the country with international accreditation. This means we can give you a certificate of conformity based on accepted policy, procedures and best practices. If you are not ready for a full audit but want to check your medical and or food service operation, we can audit them separately and issue a certificate of conformity for either. This can give you confidence that you have been reviewed by an accredited independent source. For more information, please call us at (409) 866-9920 and ask for Percy Pitzer, Steve Spaulding or Jeanine Hadnot, or email me at ppitzer@creativecorrections.com. creativecorrections.com.
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According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, over 2.7 million children in the U.S. have an incarcerated parent and about 10 million children have experienced parental incarceration. The Pitzer Family Education Foundation's mission is to break this cycle through education. The foundation has awarded 190 scholarships, with inmates donating $240,000 and Creative Corrections: LLC contributing over $1 million toward other initiatives of the foundation. Educating these children is crucial to prevent intergenerational incarceration. With 3 decades of prison work experience, inmates will support this initiative. The foundation seeks support from state and federal prisons as well as correctional organizations to inform inmates about this educational opportunity for their children. Together, working with the inmate population we can provide a brighter future for their children and break the cycle of incarceration. For additional information you may email me at createcorrection@aol.com or give me a call at (409) 284-4155. pfefscholarships.org. #Education #Incarceration #Children #Foundation #PrisonReform
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Creative Corrections, LLC stands as the sole internationally accredited prison auditing company in the nation. Our unwavering dedication to upholding credibility in the correctional industry through transparent audits of correctional facilities is evident in our work. It's crucial to note that while our audits cannot accredit a facility, we can issue a certificate of conformity. In alignment with the regulations of our accreditation agency, for a facility to achieve accreditation, it must follow the same rigorous process that Creative Corrections undertook, which may seem counterintuitive. Our company's goals are straightforward: eliminating bureaucracy and collaborating with facilities to ensure adherence to good correctional practices. We meticulously review policies, provide recommendations for enhancements, and verify compliance within the facilities. At Creative Corrections, we adhere to our own set of standards, although most agencies often have policies that align with our benchmarks. The crux lies in whether these policies are being effectively implemented. In the event of significant issues uncovered during audits, we tirelessly work with the facility on their corrective action plans to facilitate compliance. Our philosophy is simple yet effective: "What don't get checked, don't get fixed." Any questions concerning our services, please call our office at (409) 866-9920, or email me at createcorrection@aol.com. #CreativeCorrections #CorrectionalIndustry #AuditingExcellence #Compliance #PrisonAuditing #Transparency
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CLA's commitment to making a significant impact on our country is commendable and aligns perfectly with our mission at Creative Corrections. We look forward to continued collaboration and advancements in our field. #CorrectionalLeadership #PublicSafety #ExemplaryDedication #CreativeCorrections Percy Pitzer Stephen Spaulding Jeanine Hadnot
Rear Admiral/Assistant Surgeon General, Retired, US Public Health Services, Retired Warden Federal Bureau of Prisons
Had an incredible time at our 1st Correctional Leaders Association Conference in Williamsburg, VA. I was impressed by the exemplary leadership of our southern State's Correctional professionals. Their dedication is truly commendable, making a significant impact on our country.
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Creative Corrections is proud to announce that we have been selected to partner with Milwaukee County to address the critical issues faced by their jail system. This collaboration underscores our commitment to improving correctional facilities and ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved. As highlighted in the recent [Urban Milwaukee article](https://lnkd.in/gJeEDA-A), Milwaukee County is taking significant steps to investigate and resolve the concerns surrounding the jail. We are honored to contribute our expertise and work alongside county officials to bring about positive change. Thank you to Milwaukee County for trusting us with this important responsibility. Together, we can make a meaningful impact. #CreativeCorrections #MilwaukeeCounty #JailReform #CommunitySafety #Collaboration Percy Pitzer Anthony Haynes Stephen Spaulding Jeanine Hadnot
MKE County: County Selects Auditor For Jail Death Inquiry
https://urbanmilwaukee.com
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An article published in the Daytona Times written by Creative Corrections, LLC, that talks about issues and options to incarceration. https://lnkd.in/gaMxdSwq
Overcrowding in U.S. prisons starts with education
daytonatimes.com
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Honoring National Correctional Officers Week! This week, Creative Corrections is celebrating the incredible men and women who serve as correctional officers. Your hard work and dedication are the backbone of public safety and rehabilitation in our communities. We want to hear from you! - Share a Story: If you're a correctional officer, please share a moment from your career that has been particularly meaningful to you. What keeps you motivated every day? - Send a Shout-Out: Do you know a correctional officer who deserves recognition? Tag them in the comments, and tell us what makes them outstanding! - Ask a Question: Are you curious about the life and challenges of a correctional officer? Drop your questions below, and we'll have some of our brave COs respond! Let's fill this week with appreciation and insights as we learn more about the courageous roles these professionals play every day. Thank you to all our correctional officers for your service and commitment. You make a difference every single day. #NationalCorrectionalOfficersWeek #ThankYou #CorrectionalOfficers #PublicSafety #CommunityHeroes Percy Pitzer Stephen Spaulding Jeanine Hadnot
