navigating the culture of corrections april 15, 2008 columbus, ohio

Navigating the Culture of Corrections

April 15, 2008

Columbus, Ohio

National Minority AIDS Council

Prepared by:

Kelly McCann, CEO

AIDS Foundation Houston Consultant, National Minority AIDS Council,

Prison Initiative


Why Are We Here?

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

– Identify the primary purpose and mission of correctional institutions, and compare and contrast the mission of corrections institutions to that of community and faith based service providers working in a correctional setting

– Identify five rules commonly imposed on all visitors in a correctional setting


Why Are We Here?

– Explain why it is important to use proper terminology when referring to inmates and correctional staff in a correctional setting

– Describe both appropriate and inappropriate clothing for visitors working in a correctional institution

– Explain why it is important to maintain proper working relationship boundaries while interacting with inmates

– Define and site examples of contraband


Whose Mission?

Health and human service agencies exist to improve the health and lives of their clients and communities.

Correctional facilities aim to protect society and reduce crime. (Custody of inmates and security are main concerns. Rehabilitation, medical care, and education are secondary.)


What is Culture?

“Culture is the acquired

knowledge people use to

interpret experience and

generate behavior.”

~Anthropologist James Spradley


Other definitions

Culture is the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought. American Heritage Dictionary


Components of Culture

Behaviors Arts Beliefs

Institutions Dress Language


Prison Culture

What do you

think of when you

think of “prison

culture”?


Stereotypes

Brutal

torture?

or

Country

club?


What’s our Role?


Prison Culture

“(T)he values, assumptions and beliefs that

correctional staff hold in common. These drive

both individual and group behaviors, which

ultimately define the way a particular institution

functions.”

~National Institute of Correction's Institutional

Culture Initiative (NIC-ICI)

So, why do we need to go to jail?

Reasons to intervene in correctional settings

Public Health = Public Safety

Correctional Facilities are Part of the Community

Populations most impacted by health disparities in the community are disproportionally represented in corrections


Why Do We Need to Go to Jail?

Among the 7.5 million prisoners released in 2002:– 1.3 million infected with hepatitis C (HCV)– 137,000 infected with HIV– 12,000 infected with active TB – 566,000 with latent TB

Represents 29% (HCV), 13-17% (HIV), and 35% (TB) of total number of Americans living with these infections

(Source: National Commission on Correctional Health Care, The Health Status of Soon-to-be-Released Inmates, 2002.)



The majority of those with HIV are coming into the system with HIV.

Majority of prisoners with HIV report IDU histories.

Majority of prisoners with HIV are co-infected with HCV.

The risks (both sexual and blood-borne) continue during incarceration and post release



RISKS: Needle-sharing for injection drug use Unprotected sexual intercourse Bonding rituals involving body fluids Keistering (concealing contraband in body-cavities)

Prison tattoos with re-used equipment Body piercing with re-used equipment Fights


National Health Status of the Incarcerated

Poor access to health care services prior to incarceration

History of trauma (physical abuse and violence) Chronic illnesses (seizures, hypertension,

diabetes, smoking) High rates of substance abuse and mental illness Infectious diseases (TB, HIV / AIDS, STDs, hepatitis)


Costs to Corrections Systems (and taxpayers)

Medications “alone”– $2,000 (Hep C) + $1,500 (HIV) = $42,000 a year!

Most health problems are endemic among inmates– 2 - 3% of inmates = 30% of cost


Why do we need to go to jail?

It’s where disease is!– Burden of HIV, STD, TB passing through

corrections

Address complex social issues– Impact of mental illness, substance abuse and

other social problems

Support continuity of care between corrections and the community



Almost every person who is incarcerated in jail and 97% of those incarcerated in prison will eventually be released. The Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council. Available at www.re-entrypolicy.org



The majority of HIV+ prisoners are released back to communities and they have the same needs as other clients:

– Medical care– Substance abuse treatment– Housing– Food– Vocational/Employment services

And need support to stay in the community …


Community Concerns

More people are leaving prison Failure rates and associated cost are high Returning prisoners are less prepared for

community life Significant challenges facing returning

prisoners Consequences for families and communities


Social and Economic Costs

High incarceration rate +

High recidivism +

Short time in jail / prison +

Disease burden +

No care coordination +

No information sharing

= Huge direct and indirect economic burden for our communities



Better health services and education for inmates results in benefits to communities and society at large.The Need for a Public Health Model for Correctional Health Care. Massachusetts Public Health Association


Prison Slang Activity

What do we need to

know aboutprison culture?


Prison Culture

Prison Slang Exercise


Prison Culture – Maintaining Good Relationships

Relationships with Correctional staff - Communications – glossary of terms Understanding Prison Hierarchy

Relationships with Inmates – Be genuine Be consistent Follow the rules


Prison Culture –Who are we serving?

Who are inmates? Is the prison experience the same for female

inmates and their male counterparts?


Women’s Prison Experience

Pseudo familiesSocial structure Free world

relationships, esp. children


Working with Inmates – A Caution against Manipulation

Manipulation – to control or play upon by artful, unfair or insidious means, especially to one’s own advantage.

Inmates may use the following techniques: Flattery Empathy – “I can relate to that” Sympathy – make you feel sorry for them Helplessness Confidentiality – share a secret Isolation – pitting officer against officer, rumors Touching, sexual references


To avoid being manipulated, adhere to the following principles -

Never do anything to, for or with an inmate that you would be ashamed to share with your peers, supervisor

Keep everything out in the open. Tell supervisor even if you did something inappropriate

If you suspect a request or action could lead to manipulation, tell several peers what took place. Let the inmate know you told, or better yet, tell peers in front of inmate

Know the rules and regulations and enforce them Learn to use the command, “NO” Be aware of body language and messages you transmit Document suspicious/unusual behavior Verify inmate stories before taking action


Prison Culture –How should visitors behave?

Rules of conduct for visitors - Dress Contraband Get permission for everything Act like a guest


Getting Started – Planning your Prison Project

Learn about your local correctional facility Find out if there is another CBO already

working with offenders/correctional facility Establish relationship with corrections

authorities (sheriff, warden, etc) Ask them what they need Be flexible!


Navigating the Culture of Corrections

Kelly McCann, CEOAIDS Foundation Houston713.623.6796, ext. [email protected]

navigating the culture of corrections april 15, 2008 columbus, ohio

Documents

correctional setting

correctional settings

national commission

ohio slide

prison initiative slide

culture of corrections

correctional staff

definitions culture