When you attended your correctional academy as a new correctional employee, you were taught your organization’s policies, procedures and practices. You graduated, and were told the rest you would learn on the job. You learned that the job is tough, demanding, grueling, and, in many cases, thankless. You often found that you were on your own when you needed to make the right choices and decisions. These articles you are about to read are written by your peers, and could be considered your Master’s Degree. If you can learn and apply something from each of these messages, you will emerge at your retirement, promoted, effective, successful, happy, proud of your many accomplishments, and realize what a legacy you have left the organization.

PASSING IT ALONG: WISDOM FROM CORRECTIONS STAFF is a valuable stress management, personal wellness, and career enhancing resource for corrections officers and others that work within the correctional system. It provides useful information based upon the experiences of veteran corrections officers and specialized mental health professionals. The insights of its contributors will benefit everyone working within the field of corrections.

This book, and the work done at Desert Waters, acknowledges and addresses the impact corrections work has on staff and their families. I personally feel that these quick looks at the experiences of Correctional Professionals will spark conversations that will lead to change—positive change in  attitudes, behaviors and experiences.

PASSING IT ALONG is a rich source of personal experiences and insight that allow a deep reflection for the reader about the impact of their words, reactions, attitudes, thoughts, decisions and actions—that is, everything that one can control. No matter what happens at work, the stories of this book show that lessons are learned, hope is essential, and maintaining a balance takes discipline and effort.