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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 [...]

My outlook about my career changed after l could do something for myself, my peers, and coworkers on a professional level as well as on a personal level, which I’d been doing for years inadvertently. Now that role that I had been performing unofficially has a title: Staff Wellness Personnel and From Corrections Fatigue to Fulfillment (CF2F) Instructor. After becoming involved with Desert Waters Correctional Outreach, their team, and their material, I felt an immediate sense of meaning, finding a purpose in my career which led to fulfillment in this career that I did not even know I needed. Fast forward five years and the many CF2F classes which I have been fortunate to present, and learn from myself, I am a face and a name for staff wellness with Corrections. My title is one I take very seriously and am proud to carry. In this position of Staff Wellness Personnel and CF2F Instructor, people trust you, lean on you, and confide in [...]

Are you and your partner navigating the unique challenges of life in the correctional profession? Join us for a groundbreaking 2-day online training designed specifically for correctional couples—staff members and their spouses/partners. This training is based on Desert Waters’ well-regarded courses, Correctional Family Wellness—For Staff™ (CFW-S) and Correctional Family Wellness—For Adult Family Members™ (CFW-F). The training is crafted to increase awareness, enhance communication, and build resilience for both partners, with the ultimate goal being the strengthening of relationships. What to Expect: Day 1: Two separate tracks—one for the correctional staff member and one for the adult family member—each tailored to address the unique needs and experiences of each role. Day 2: A collaborative roundtable discussion, where we’ll explore the material in depth, share insights, and answer your questions in an interactive Q&A session. When: This training will take place during National Correctional Family Appreciation Week in the first week of June—an ideal time to invest in your relationship and well-being. Limited Space: Only 16 couples will be able to attend, ensuring personalized [...]

Wellness is not just about physical health or the absence of disease or psychological disorder. Wellness also involves having a sense of purpose and deriving positive meaning from actions that reflect healthy values. In this sense, wellness is truly about “living the dream!” The ultimate result of experiencing purpose and positive meaning in our lives is fulfillment—feeling satisfied, content, blessed, or, for lack of a better term, spiritually "rich." This sense of meaning is the fuel that keeps us going, giving life flavor and richness. It helps us get out of bed each morning with “pep in our step” and a positive vision to move toward—even if that vision is small. Meaning guides how we spend our waking hours and the goals we pursue. That’s why meaning has such a critical impact on our quality of life—and even our health. The way we invest our time and the goals we set shape both our well-being and our destiny. For [...]

The holidays are often thought of as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness—a season that beckons warmth and family. But for those of us working in corrections, this time of year often brings a complicated mix of emotions, not only for the people inside, but also for those of us tasked with keeping the wheels turning. Walking into a correctional facility during the holiday season, there is a heavy feeling that seems to settle in the moment you step through the doors, separating two distinct worlds—one filled with the festivities of the season and another characterized by isolation and routine. I remember vividly the emotional whiplash of the holidays. Outside, the world was humming with holiday lights, children’s programs, shopping, and gatherings. Inside the prison walls, however, it was just another day. Lines ran as usual. Chow was served. Yard and regular programming continued on schedule. There was no pause, no festivity, no extra sense of goodwill—just the [...]

This book should be required reading for EVERYONE who works in a correctional setting, and we mean EVERYONE, including staff who work in prisons, jails, probation, parole, and other community-based settings. The title, Crossing That Line: Boundary Violations between Corrections Staff and Inmates says it all about the intent of the book. The material aims to highlight the issue of professional boundary violations, exploring their potential causes, the harm they inflict on individuals and workplace culture, and strategies for preventing these violations and their negative consequences. The author, Susan Jones, PhD, draws on her extensive experience in corrections—having spent 31 years in the field and retiring as a warden—to explore this topic. Her PhD dissertation serves as a foundation for the book, which includes accessible scholarly research and thoughtful discussions on policy, correctional practices, and culture. The book is divided into three sections and features a collection of scenarios highlighting boundary violations between corrections staff and inmates. Section I, titled “What [...]