Cj323 Kristopher Turner Module 7 Final project

.docx

School

Southern New Hampshire University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

323

Subject

Arts Humanities

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by kturner071188

Kristopher Turner CJ-323 SNHU Professor Hall

Currently the Main County Corrections Department has several safety issues as well as critical issues. The first critical issue is that the overall budget has been cut from the facility due to a reduction in property tax. This effects overall funding for programs for rehabilitation of offenders as well as takes away from having the correct number of staff on shift to run a safe and effective facility. Also, with budgets decreasing in the coming fiscal year and the county manager being concerned about inefficacies as well as organizational structure, this also causes concern on the well being of the facility and its overall effectiveness in rehabilitation of offenders as well as poses many safety concerns for staff as this would lead to a massive understaffing of the facility. Another issues that are a large safety issue, is the safety of offenders within the facility. Many community members are complaining about the safety of family members that are incarcerated within the facility. There are several reports of staff assaulting offenders as well as offenders being with held or not properly treated by medical staff as well. There is also a concern on staff not knowing how to properly respond in the event of a medical emergency and not having proper first aid supplies on hand and readily available for situations that arise. This goes to show that management is not effective in their process of running a safe and clean environment as well as properly managing a facility. Staff also has been reported to be threatening newly arrived offenders with the phrase “Cross the officers and bad things will happen”. This is unacceptable and shows staff has not had proper training in the correctional setting. Offenders are also being abused bad enough that they are being hidden in solitary confinement until injuries heal to avoid any suspicion of abuse going on within the facility. This needs to be addressed as a whole and staff need to be terminated and charged with assault. Offender Frank Fernandez was claimed to have committed suicide at the

facility, but an autopsy shows otherwise causing the facility to agree to a settlement outside of court. This incident could have been avoided if the facility staff had proper training in security and safety as well as first aid. Another offender also passed away while incarcerated at this facility and autopsy shows that he was shoved into a shower by staff and badly burned to the point of scalding his skin which evidently led to his death. Going by the facilities mission statement of “We serve our community by providing safe, secure, and humane detention of individuals in our custody while preparing them for a successful return to the community”. This mission statement is not at all upheld and farther from the truth than anything I have ever read. This facility does not provide a safe and secure facility as well as does not have humane detention of individuals while incarcerated and individuals apparently are lucky if the even get to enter society after being incarcerated at this horrendous facility. First and foremost, though not all is lost these issues can all be corrected starting with management. By offering proper training for management on the effective methods to run a facility safely and securely as well as developing policy and procedures to institute what to do in case of an emergency. Also, appropriate training for correctional staff and health staff as well for the treatment and care of offenders. By training security staff to follow policy and procedure leaves no open room for any errors or lawsuits in the future. By being firm fair and consistent and treating the offenders regardless of offense the same and with a level of professionalism and respect can go along way in the success of a facility. Also, health care staff needs to properly be trained in responding to incidents and treating offenders for illness or emergency and not withholding any treatment as it is well within the offenders’ rights to receive proper care while incarcerated. By developing an outside relationship with local hospital facilities and running

training drills this can be achieved and top-notch medical care can be provided and offered to the offenders. By following these few simple suggestions, the Main County Corrections Department can become a better suited facility and restore to a more positive reputation to further develop its relationship with the community to secure better funding for treatment and the facilities. The current organizational structure of the Main County Jail is inefficient due to the number of upper management that the facility currently has. Currently the department has 6 Majors, 21 Captains, 17 Lieutenants and 14 different departments. By reducing the overall number of Majors down to 2 one for administration side and one for operations as well as reduce the total number of captains down to 14, and Lieutenants being reduced to 7 would greatly benefit the department and would allow for additional funds within the budget to be applied to areas that need the focus and concentration. By reorganizing this chart allows more a smooth flowing and safe and secure facility that could maintain and abide by the mission statement. This overflow of management currently contributes to massive loads of confusion and can lead to a lot of contradicting one another which in turn causes individuals to not work as a team. Per the ACA code of ethics as follows “ The American correctional Association expects of its members unfailing honesty, respect for the dignity and individuality of human beings and a commitment to professional and compassionate service. To this end, we subscribe to the following principles. Members shall respect and protect the civil and legal rights of all individuals. Members shall treat every professional situation with concern for the welfare of the individuals involved and with no intent to personal gain. Members shall maintain relationships with colleagues to promote mutual respect within the profession and improve the quality of service. Members shall make public criticism of their colleagues or their agencies only when

warranted, verifiable, and constructive. Members shall respect the importance of all disciplines within the criminal justice system and work to improve cooperation with each segment. Members shall honor the public's right to information and share information with the public to the extent permitted by law subject to individuals' right to privacy. Members shall respect and protect the right of the public to be safeguarded from criminal activity. Members shall refrain from using their positions to secure personal privileges or advantages. Members shall refrain from allowing personal interest to impair objectivity in the performance of duty while acting in an official capacity. Members shall refrain from entering into any formal or informal activity or agreement which presents a conflict of interest or is inconsistent with the conscientious performance of duties. Members shall refrain from accepting any gifts, services, or favors that is or appears to be improper or implies an obligation inconsistent with the free and objective exercise of professional duties. Members shall clearly differentiate between personal views/statements and views/statements/positions made on behalf of the agency or Association. Members shall report to appropriate authorities any corrupt or unethical behaviors in which there is sufficient evidence to justify review. Members shall refrain from discriminating against any individual because of race, gender, creed, national origin, religious affiliation, age, disability, or any other type of prohibited discrimination. Members shall preserve the integrity of private information; they shall refrain from seeking information on individuals beyond that which is necessary to implement responsibilities and perform their duties; members shall refrain from revealing nonpublic information unless expressly authorized to do so. Members shall make all appointments, promotions, and dismissals in accordance with established civil service rules, applicable contract agreements, and

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help