Cultural Diversity Training: Achieving the ‘Smooth Shift'

Gary F. Cornelius, First Lt. (Retired)

Any correctional officer (CO) that works inside an institution wants ‘The Smooth Shift’-the tour of duty where there are minimal problems with inmates, everyone gets along and there are few incident reports. Wouldn’t it be nice to work a 12 or 8-hour shift where the inmates are quiet and cooperative? The more years a CO has on the job, the more he or she just wants to work a quiet shift and go home safely. Cultural diversity training can factor in to trying to achieve a ‘smooth shift’. I present an in service training class in Cultural Diversity, required by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Not only do I discuss the behaviors and customs of several ethnic groups, I also discuss racial profiling. This column will give the corrections trainer some advice on presenting cultural diversity training... read full story

Also this week:

• Implementing the Juvenile Justice Reform Act
• Acrostic Scrabble
• What Exactly is a “Mood Stabilizer?”
• Are All Released Prisoners Rearrested?