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I was scrolling through social media recently, as I often do in the evenings before bed, when I came across a post I’ve seen far too many times before. You know the one—a correctional officer’s badge, a black mourning band draped across it, silently announcing the loss of another brother or sister behind the walls. It’s always sad. My first instinct is to wonder if it was someone I knew—someone I had worked with, trained alongside, or crossed paths with over the years. But this time, what struck me most wasn’t the image or the announcement. It was the very first comment under the post. Two words. “Who now?” The two words hit harder than the image. Their meaning was unmistakable, the truth undeniable: far too many posts like this, far too many corrections professionals lost too soon, some to suicide. The statistics back it up. And the weight of it keeps building. We’ve all felt it. But instead [...]

Reproduced with permission. Example 1: Out of Control Work is getting out of control. We had an emergency yesterday. I guess what really burns me is that no matter how hard you try or how well you do, the management still says it's not good enough. During yesterday’s emergency I was responsible for controlling all of the doors allowing staff to respond. Enough staff responded within one minute that the emergency was cleared in just over a minute. The Captain sent a Lieutenant to chew me out because he had to wait more than five seconds at a door. He was upset that other staff beat him to the emergency and he wasn't the first responder to the incident. I told the Lieutenant that I don't send responders to emergencies by rank. I send them by who can get there fastest. The Captain is one of these past Tactical Team leaders and a hoo flung doo expert who thinks [...]

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is essential for building a fulfilling and sustainable career in the high-stress world of corrections. EQ involves the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions, as well as effectively navigate interactions with others—skills that directly influence our well-being and workplace relationships. Far from being “soft,” emotional intelligence is a powerful set of competencies that shape the work environment and organizational culture. In high-stakes situations, EQ can make the difference between de-escalation and peaceful resolution—or injuries, policy violations, litigation, and even loss of life. In this article, I briefly explore the nature of emotions, the benefits of learning to regulate them, methods for processing emotional distress, and how to “apply the brakes” when we feel like we’re about to lose control. You, dear reader, may not be experiencing challenges with emotional regulation. However, the data show that many working in the intense, high-stress environments of corrections and other public safety roles do struggle emotionally—at [...]

I was in the checkout line early in the morning at a local big box store a couple of weeks before Christmas. There was a hold up on one of the items I was purchasing and suddenly my heart started pounding, my mind racing, and then this wave of anxiety suddenly came over me. I was in panic mode. I ran out of the store and into my vehicle. I collapsed in the driver’s seat and started sobbing uncontrollably. After a few minutes I got myself composed and headed home. To say that going Christmas shopping on this morning was a truly bad idea, well, that would be an understatement. I thought that I could pull it off, but I was dead wrong. I didn’t know. I had never been through what occurred less than two days before. I had no point of reference. None!!! This was my first time being attacked. Webster’s Dictionary defines trauma as “an injury [...]

Investing in staff wellness in corrections isn’t just about launching a new program or ticking off a checklist. It’s about changing a culture. And when it comes to setting the “FromCorrections Fatigue to Fulfillment™” (CF2F) course up for success, that culture shift starts at the top—with leadership's behavior, not just their words.We’ve all heard the statements: “We care about employee wellness.”“Staff wellbeing is a priority.” These sentiments are well-intended. But frontline staff are less interested in the press releases and more attuned to what actually gets modeled day-to-day. In corrections, what gets noticed isn’t what’s said—it’s what’s done.Why Leadership Must Go FirstOne of the strongest signals to staff about the value of any initiative—especially one as personal as CF2F—is when administrators are the first to invest their time into it. And let’s be clear: we're not talking about sending out an email, assigning someone else to attend, or skimming a briefing document before a 15-minute debrief.CF2F is different. It’s not a tactical training. It’s not about compliance or [...]

As agencies nationwide increasingly prioritize workforce well-being and operational sustainability, many are choosing to implement From Corrections Fatigue to Fulfillment™ (CF2F)—an award-winning and highly impactful foundational course offered by Desert Waters Correctional Outreach (DWCO). When introducing CF2F for the first time—especially as part of a broader, strategic wellness initiative—it is strongly recommended that the instructor training be delivered in person instead of virtually. CF2F contains high levels of emotionally resonant and interpersonal content. The course explores themes such as trauma exposure, cumulative Fatigue, moral injury, and relational dynamics within corrections culture. These are not just informational topics—they are deeply felt experiences among staff. Delivering the CF2F Instructor Training in person allows for richer, more intentional facilitation and provides space for authentic discussion, peer reflection, and guided processing that, in our experience, cannot be replicated as effectively in a virtual format. As agency instructors are preparing to teach this material to their own staff, it is even more critical they first experience it live and in person. [...]

At the beginning while I was attending the CF2F instructor’s course (From Corrections Fatigue to Fulfillment) I was a skeptic and did not believe CF2F would ever succeed with our staff. Though I believed the material was pure at the core and hit the mark as to what we go through in this environment, I did not think there was any way in the world our officers would ever be open to participating, as we are a hardcore group in general. That being said, as my training partner and I discussed how we were going to present the material, we truly saw the value in the material and wanted to succeed. Though I can’t lie, I did not see it going over well. Well, we were quickly proven wrong. Within the three days following teaching our first class, we had 6 officers between us in our office sharing with us their stories and asking for references for various services [...]

When I was leading a large staff wellness program for a corrections agency, one of our most important strategic decisions was to shift from reactive interventions to preventative care. Responding to critical incidents was indeed essential—but it couldn’t be the only focus. If we wanted to implement CISM and peer support in alignment with best practices, we needed resilience-building tools on the front end. We had to play both offense and defense. That wasn’t just a wellness decision—it was a leadership one. And of course, everyone wants data. Hard numbers. Especially when you’re making the case to budget decision-makers who are trying to stretch every dollar. Return on Investment (ROI) is always part of the conversation, particularly when you're dealing with taxpayer funds, oversight, and elections. But here’s the hard truth: some of the impact of wellness programs is difficult—if not impossible—to measure in isolation. The Retention Question Over the past few years, I’ve been asked repeatedly to draw a direct [...]

When I first sat down in the From Corrections Fatigue to Fulfillment (CF2F) course, I did not know what to expect. I was a willing participant, but not because I knew what to expect. I had worked out a deal to attend. I would become a CF2F trainer if I could attend the next tactical training. As I sat in class I did not know what Staff Wellness was or what Corrections Fatigue was. After listening and learning I realized many things but most importantly I knew Corrections Fatigue—after all, I’d unknowingly lived with it most of my career. Upon returning to my institution, I could see that CF2F was taking off in popularity. The same realizations I had were the same happening to the 1400 staff at the institution. Officers, Supervisors, medical staff, and plant ops—all were coming to the realization that the work stressors we endure, regardless of job title or rank, affect us in a negative [...]

In 2025, the New York State legislature passed the Prison Reform Omnibus Bill (S8415/A8871), mandating surveillance cameras in all correctional facilities—a necessary but far from sufficient step in the increase of accountability and transparency of prison operations. Cameras merely record events. Their presence may deter some instances of criminal conduct by staff against incarcerated individuals, but it cannot get to the root of malfunctioning workforce cultures and criminal choices. For meaningful prison reform we need to get to the root of the problem. We need changes of the “heart”—staff’s values and core beliefs. From these motives, thoughts, intentions, and choices emerge —whether healthy or unhealthy. For humane environments that facilitate rehabilitation, we need staff capable of self-control, sound problem-solving, empathy, and compassion. Otherwise staff’s attitudes create environments that betray or even overturn the intent of policies. The state of staff’s hearts determines if a smile and a supportive attitude replace a smirk or snark—or not. For staff to be able to [...]