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The High-Performance Correctional Facility
Lessons on Correctional Work, Leadership, and Effectiveness
By Gary F. Cornelius


From one of the country's leading correctional trainers—thought-provoking "Roll Call" talks designed to build correctional officer competence, confidence, and commitment

The High-Performance Correctional Facility will become required reading for all my senior staff
—Lt. Col. J. V. Tully, Deputy Superintendent, Rappahannock Regional Jail

“Gary's extraordinary career informs every chapter and section of this thorough resource, with not only his own experience, but current, evidence based, and practical information for the working corrections officer."
—Dr. Christina McCale, Editor in Chief, Justice Clearinghouse

“When I first entered the profession, there were very few books available for corrections professionals, especially those in leadership. I wish a book like this had been around then—it would have benefited me greatly.”
—Dr. Michael Pittaro, American Military University

From one of the acknowledged leaders in correctional training, this unique collection of inspirational essays on law, security, behavior, duty, safety, and professional conduct is designed for jail and prison administrators, supervisors, and correctional trainers seeking to build staff skills, knowledge, and professionalism.  

Corrections has come a long way. Officers are better educated, better trained, and more professional than ever. They are held to a higher standard, too. Correctional officers are not just “guards”—security is still the top priority, but COs must also function as first responders, mediators, referees, mentors, counselors, and psychologists. Thanks to research, we know more now about how incarceration affects inmates—and staff. too.   The correctional officer must understand and be prepared to deal with all of these potent forces.
  • How the experience of deprivation, “prisonization,” and adjustment can produce behavioral and psychological changes that can make a resident easier to manage or harder.
  • How medical problems and mental illness complicate the CO's job.
  • How ethnicity, culture, sexual identity, and gang affiliation are expressed and intensified in a jail or prison environment.
  • How to recognize when an inmate is trying to manipulate a staff member and how to respond effectively.
  • How to make ethical choices when circumstances make it difficult.
  • How to manage special populations—female, juvenile, transgender, and mentally disordered inmates.
  • How to recognize suicidality and the steps to take to prevent it.
  • How to earn the trust and respect of inmates without crossing over the line into self-destructive fraternization.

Based on the author's forty years' experience as jail supervisor and profesional trainer, The High-Performance Correctional Facility addresses the full range of challenges that face correctional officers today, in brief, lively, thought-provoking commentaries managers can adapt for use with veteran and new officers alike.

A note from the author ...

"Training plays a vital role in the public safety professions. Jail administrators and commanders, prison wardens and superintendents have a professional and legal obligation to see that staff are informed, educated, and drilled on the skills and duties of the job. A finding of 'failure to train' will subject an agency to serious legal liability, including damage awards and scrutiny under a court-appointed monitor... (More)

What your colleagues are saying about The High-Performance Correctional Facility ...

“Gary Cornelius is a passionate instructor, driven to provide real-world, actionable knowledge to his readers and students. His extraordinary career informs every chapter and section of this thorough resource, with not only his own experience, but current, evidence based, and practical information for the working corrections officer.”
—Christina McCale, Editor in Chief, Justice Clearinghouse  

“As an experienced corrections practitioner, researcher, and educator with 33 years of experience, I can wholeheartedly endorse Gary Cornelius’s new book, The High-Performance Correctional Facility: Lessons on Correctional Work, Leadership and Effectiveness, as a must-have book for correctional officers, staff, administrators, students, and professors. When I first entered the profession, there were very few books available for corrections professionals, especially those in leadership. So like many others before me, I found myself mostly winging it as a prison administrator. I wish a book like this had been around then—it would have benefited me greatly. Gary has produced an exceptional work that will contribute greatly to advancing the corrections profession.”
—Dr. Michael Pittaro, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice American Military University  

“Corrections continues to evolve and we as practitioners need to evolve with it. Our communities expect a standard of care similar to that beyond our walls and doors: tablets, Amazon Prime, Door Dash to name a few. It is up to us to explain the ‘why’ and temper the community’s expectations.  We meet the Standards for the VA Board of Local and Regional Jails, and the standards of training for the VA Department of Criminal Justice Services. Mr. Cornelius has captured those ideas and raised the standard. This creates a path and vision for future jailers and corrections officers entering this noble profession.”
—Lt. Col. J. V. Tully, Deputy Superintendent, Rappahannock Regional Jail

“With over twenty years of correctional experience under my wing, this is a must read for anyone working in corrections. Whether you are uniform staff or non-uniform staff, frontline or correctional management, new to this profession or senior, this book will educate you from the ground up in all areas of jail and prison operations, and truly help anyone looking to make corrections a career.”
—Anthony Gangi, Host of Tier Talk (YouTube)  

Related Publications:
Correctional Law Reporter
Corrections Managers' Report
The Supreme Court and Corrections

 

 

 

Table of Contents (PDF)
Format: Hardcover Book
© MMXXIII 272 pp. ISBN:
978-1-939083-23-4
Price: US $135.95
Product Code: HPCF

 

 

 


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