Jeffrey Rude has been a Master Instructor with Desert Waters since 2016. He began his career with the Washington State Department of Corrections (WADOC) in July 1995 and continues to be employed there. He spent the first 20 years in custody (7 of them in a supervisory role) and is currently a Classification Counselor in one of the living units. Jeff has been an instructor for WADOC since 1997, teaching a variety of curricula. Throughout his career, he has encountered numerous incidents, including an assault that led to a Traumatic Brain Injury. These experiences have given him profound insight into the impact of such work on all staff within Corrections. He is a member of, and instructor for, the Resilience Support Team (RST). He has been deployed to several incidents to provide stress-related care and bolster resilience in those whom he serves. Regarding this role, he has expressed, “It is a true blessing to be able to assist others who have experienced a traumatic event and see them recognize they have the strength to persevere.” His dedication to the well-being of his colleagues drives his involvement with Desert Waters, as he believes he has a calling to minister to others as he is able. Jeffrey is a graduate of the National Police & Fire Chaplains’ Academy and is a certified chaplain.
