When a BC Correctional Officer in Kamloops wanted to work with inmates to create a safer, more engaging environment, she started by delving into research about successful initiatives in other communities. Encouraged by management and supervisors, she then pitched the 含羞草研究社淩ight Living Approach含羞草研究社� to her co-workers. 含羞草研究社淎n overwhelming number of staff responded, a result both of how well she prepared and her passion for the issue,含羞草研究社� says Stephanie Macpherson, Provincial Director of BC Corrections含羞草研究社� Adult Custody Division. 含羞草研究社淲e opened a unit earlier this spring and the feedback from staff and inmates has been unbelievable.含羞草研究社�
That kind of initiative reflects BC Corrections含羞草研究社� emphasis not only on supporting inmates, but also staff 含羞草研究社� providing opportunities for them to explore their passions and grow in their career.
Empowering staff for positive change
This focus on leadership, progressive ideas and professional development is part of what makes BC Corrections an for many 含羞草研究社� timely as the in many regions.
含羞草研究社淔or me, the focus is all on the people,含羞草研究社� Macpherson says. 含羞草研究社淚 tell our wardens, 含羞草研究社業f you take care of the staff, everything else will fall into place.含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫
Modelling a 含羞草研究社榩eople-first含羞草研究社� approach to inmates
含羞草研究社淲e are a 含羞草研究社榩eople first含羞草研究社� organization 含羞草研究社� which means we are always thinking of the people when we make decisions, and as we develop our principles, values and goals. People matter, whether it含羞草研究社檚 the inmate in our custody or our staff who want to help support that person in custody who wants to turn their life around. We invest in our staff to ensure our organization is agile, responsive and able to excel in pursuing its mission of public safety.含羞草研究社�
This people-first approach extends to staff含羞草研究社檚 interactions with inmates, including a shift from a 含羞草研究社渟upervisory含羞草研究社� focus to exploring how to help. 含羞草研究社淧art of our job is to care, and how we care is a big part of that,含羞草研究社� Macpherson says. 含羞草研究社淲hen someone comes through our door, it含羞草研究社檚 our job to help them figure out how they got here and how to not return. Our staff don含羞草研究社檛 judge people, they accept them where they含羞草研究社檙e at and help identify and build upon their strengths.含羞草研究社�
The Right Living Approach in Kamloops is a perfect example. Participating inmates make decisions about how their living unit will operate, electing a leader and working together to build a smooth-running community. In this mutually respectful environment, inmates can open up with staff and each other about their life experiences 含羞草研究社� about the path that brought them to prison 含羞草研究社� and with that vulnerability and empathy the healing process begins.
含羞草研究社淲ith open communication and a community built on respect, look at the opportunities we have to help them,含羞草研究社� Macpherson says.
A trauma-informed approach, with greater awareness of mental health issues, helps Correctional Officers form relationships with vulnerable people who often haven含羞草研究社檛 had a role model before.
含羞草研究社淐oming to us from all walks of life and with many experiences, our Correctional Officers are leaders who work to make a difference,含羞草研究社� Macpherson says, highlighting the value of respect, communication and listening.
含羞草研究社淪ome of our most effective staff are women and we need more 含羞草研究社� their emotional intelligence and communications skills are often so strong.含羞草研究社� Beyond appealing locations and flexible work schedules that encourage a work-life balance, many officers appreciate the opportunity to explore professional interests while making a difference.
含羞草研究社淥ur staff can be involved and be leaders at all levels of the organization: they are in charge of their .含羞草研究社�