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Recently I heard a sermon regarding the idea of relationships being more important than rituals in a church setting. It got me thinking about the balance of relationships and rituals at the workplace. As a manager, I am responsible for ensuring adherence to rituals. For the purposes of this article we will define rituals as policies, directives, and mandates. The things that keep facilities operating and people safe…the rule of law, if you will. You see, rituals have a place regardless of the negative connotation sometimes associated with them. Roll call, counting, searching, marching, lines, steps, keys, swipes, shifts, uniforms, use of force… the list goes on. So where does relationship play into this? How do these two dimensions work together and/or against each other in the daily activities of correctional facilities? I would argue that in corrections and maybe even beyond, these two principles tend to be routinely at war with one another. A constant teeter-totter with the [...]

This article looks at ways to reduce avoidable conflict—and the stress, and maybe even injuries or psychological trauma—that correctional staff often face. The goal is to help staff skillfully steer around preventable conflicts with incarcerated persons. To tackle this topic, we discuss how our brains deal with perceived threat, and we explore practical ways that staff may reduce the likelihood of pushing incarcerated persons’ “hot buttons" whether inadvertently or intentionally. At the outset, however, we at Desert Waters acknowledge that not all conflict and violence can be prevented in correctional settings no matter how skilled staff may be at conflict de-escalation and helping calm people down. We recognize and honor the dedicated corrections staff—especially officers—who place themselves at risk to carry out their critical duties in the midst of uncertainty about their physical safety. These officers demonstrate extraordinary courage and self-control, even under extreme stress, on a regular basis. Additionally, I’d like to acknowledge that maintaining professionalism through self-control [...]

I was in a training last year with others who work behind the walls when I heard something that stuck with me. When talking about staff wellness, an officer shared that, on days that he comes home and complains and complains about all the difficult things that officers now have to face at their jobs, his girlfriend lets him vent for a bit and then says, “Ok, give me three things that went well today.” When I heard that something shifted in my brain and I caught onto this idea. Yes, I have attended other trainings that presented the same or a similar idea. But for some reason, that suggestion clicked for me on that day. I think we have all had those days where we can’t sleep all night but then decide to get the best sleep of our lives an hour before we need to wake up. Then we push snooze one too many times and are a touch behind. We [...]

In addition to delivering valuable information, Desert Waters’ trainings focus on teaching essential emotional intelligence skills, resilience-building techniques, and wellness-promoting practices. These tools are designed to enhance participants’ ability to navigate challenges with confidence, manage stress more effectively, and foster a balanced mindset. By equipping participants with these capabilities, the training empowers them to respond to personal and professional demands with emotional agility and resilience. The Process of Developing Lasting Change However, the development and sustainability of these behaviors is not instantaneous. It requires consistent practice, repetition, and reinforcement. Like any meaningful transformation, integrating these skills into daily life relies on creating opportunities to rehearse and apply them in real-world scenarios. Over time, this deliberate effort solidifies these practices as new habits, eventually transforming them into automatic, default behaviors. Creating a Ripple Effect of Positive Change This transformative process not only enhances individual well-being but also fosters a ripple effect, cultivating a more supportive, emotionally intelligent environment in both [...]

Recent developments in New York State’s correctional system have made one thing abundantly clear: the focus should not be on choosing sides between incarcerated persons and staff. Instead, the priority must be a commitment to humanity—an overarching principle that recognizes the dignity, well-being, and rights of all individuals within the system. The entrenched “us versus them” mentality, which has historically divided incarcerated persons and correctional staff, only leads to mutual suffering. A system that truly values reform must address the needs of both groups, acknowledging that improvements for one inevitably lead to improvements for the other.The notion of picking sides—whether supporting incarcerated persons or staff—results in a zero-sum game where everyone loses. Poor living conditions for incarcerated persons, lack of rehabilitation programs, and inadequate mental health resources not only harm those incarcerated but also create dangerous and stressful environments for correctional officers. Likewise, when officers are undertrained, overworked, and unsupported, their ability to perform their jobs effectively diminishes, which in turn negatively [...]

Preventable Tragedies: Understanding Root Causes and Exploring SolutionsRecently, another entirely preventable tragedy made the news. A group of Correctional Officers beat a restrained incarcerated person, Robert L. Brooks, to death. The assault was recorded on body-worn cameras apparently in standby mode. This raises a crucial question: Why would these Correctional Officers risk their careers and, possibly, their freedom?This incident is far from isolated. Across the nation, we hear stories of seasoned, experienced corrections professionals engaging in serious criminal activities—whether it’s coercing incarcerated individuals into sexual acts, smuggling contraband, or, in the most extreme cases, inflicting bodily harm or even death. It’s easy to assume that these employees entered the profession with malicious intent, but that’s rarely the case. Most correctional staff don’t begin their careers with the intention of violating policies or causing harm to those in their care. Instead, we must ask: What happens over time that drives some corrections professionals to act in ways that betray their original, prosocial [...]

This article first appeared here. Sometimes, the real threat is hiding in plain sight, evading our attention while we’re engrossed in the assumption that we are plowing ahead safely towards our destination. In correctional work environments, there is a very real threat, a threat which has been grave for years, relentlessly grinding staff down, and extremely so since 2020. This threat is undermining the foundation of correctional operations while hiding in plain sight, because it is accepted “as the way things are” in correctional work environments today. This threat is equivalent to the iceberg that sank the Titanic. And we have less excuses for not addressing it head on, because it is much more visible than the actual iceberg was to the crew of the hapless Titanic. The Correctional Iceberg I pose to you that the correctional iceberg that is threatening to sink the correctional Titanic is staff’s relentless partial chronic sleep deprivation. Due to dire nationwide correctional staff shortages, [...]

Program Overview Through SafeHaven Wellness Programming™, Desert Waters Correctional Outreach offers a comprehensive, data-driven approach to help correctional and other public safety agencies build or enhance their employee wellness programs. We guide agencies in creating a healthy, engaged workforce culture that contributes to better retention, recruitment, and overall agency performance. Vision & Mission Vision: Help correctional and other public safety agencies improve mission fulfillment through a focus on staff well-being. Mission: Assist agencies in developing or expanding wellness programming tailored to the unique challenges of correctional and other public safety and professionals. Why Wellness Matters Investing in staff wellness delivers a significant return on investment (ROI), as indicated by corporate studies. Benefits of a well-supported workforce include: Improved staff health and morale Enhanced retention, loyalty, and engagement Increased staff performance and productivity Reduced healthcare costs and absenteeism More constructive interactions between staff and justice-involved individuals Lowered liability risks from misconduct or legal issues A forward-thinking approach to managing challenges in [...]

In recent years, wellness programs for corrections staff have emerged as a critical component of healthy correctional systems. While these programs gained popularity during the pandemic, it is clear that their importance has not diminished. In fact, in the face of ongoing challenges—such as staff shortages and heightened Corrections Fatigue concerns—it has become increasingly evident that corrections agencies must prioritize staff wellness with even greater urgency and investment. Despite these growing concerns, lawmakers who are tasked with funding agencies may be unaware of the increased need to appropriately fund staff wellness programs, overlooking the direct link between staff support and the fulfillment of the agency’s mission. The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” has never been more relevant to corrections. Research has shown that when agencies invest in wellness programs that support staff resilience and mental health, the results can be far-reaching and beneficial. Essentially, by investing in the well-being of corrections staff, [...]

 The arrival of a new year often brings with it a wave of optimism—talk of fresh beginnings, resolutions, and the potential for transformation. For me, working in a correctional facility, this time of year presented a paradox. While the broader narrative emphasized change and growth, the daily reality on the frontlines of corrections often felt stagnant. The institutional environment, steeped in rigid routines, seemed impervious to the ideals of renewal that January promised.Each year, I would feel an overwhelming urge to “clean up” my life—purging unnecessary items from my home, committing to healthier eating habits, and crafting plans for self-improvement. Yet, as I clocked in for my shifts, the unchanging routine of the correctional facility seemed to undermine these efforts. The monotony of the job made my personal changes feel insignificant, as though they were swallowed by the weight of institutional sameness. This internal conflict left me restless, often searching for a more profound change that I mistakenly believed could [...]