Dear Correctional Officers, this message is for you.
Those who stand in isolation will never understand how much of what they do is part of the bigger picture. I would go as far as to say that Correctional Officers are the canvas (foundation) in which that picture begins to take form.
Understanding the movement of Corrections
In order for Corrections to move forward, we must educate ourselves on how the system works. We must never stand in isolation. We must remember, we are the foundation (the canvas).
My personal feelings
I love Corrections. That right, I said it. “I love Corrections!” I entered the field not knowing what to expect and, with 14 years under my belt, I can stand tall and tell the world, “I love this profession.” I have spent many days learning about this profession and have ventured on the many different roads that a career in Corrections has to offer. I have learned what the system is about on a greater level and have come to truly appreciate the overall goal of the Correctional system.
It’s a family. It’s a partnership
Now, from my standpoint, Corrections is greater than the sum of it parts. If you look at Corrections in an isolated manner, department by department, you will never get a true understanding of how the system works. In order to understand the system, you must see how the parts connect and how they interact. There are multiple entities that must connect as one in order for the system to survive. It’s a partnership. It’s a family. And that’s what I love.
Correctional Officers are the foundation to rehabilitation
For Correctional Officers, their view of the system is somewhat limited. For some, they stand isolated from the moving parts of the system and make no effort to see the bigger picture. Those who stand in isolation will never understand how much of what they do is part of the bigger picture. I would go as far as to say that Correctional Officers are the canvas (foundation) in which the picture begins to take form.
Think about this, Correctional Officers provide the environment that is conducive to rehabilitation. Without them, rehabilitation would not be possible. Correctional Officers maintain a secured and controlled environment that provides safety to both the staff and inmates who partake in rehabilitation. If this sense of safety is not provided, the environment would be to stressful for any form of rehabilitation to occur.
What we need to do
My goal is to educate the world on the role we play in a system that is constantly being bastardized. I want to inform the public of the moving parts that must exist in order for the mission of Corrections to succeed, but I am only one man. Without support, I will never come close to obtaining the audience needed for our personal movement to be recognized and appreciated. Therefore, we need to stand together as one collective voice. We need to be the ones who provide the world with the knowledge needed for our proper and rightful recognition. We are in the shadows spending our time looking for a light that can only come from within.
I want to pose a challenge to all my fellow Correctional Officers. Let’s educate ourselves on what the system is about. Let’s make all efforts to travel up and see what Corrections is about on a greater level. We need to work together to paint a true an accurate picture of Corrections. As mentioned above, the canvas of this painting is us (Correctional Officers). I think that if you see the painting as a whole, you would not just have a greater respect for each individual color, but also gain a greater respect for what is needed to create the painting (canvas/your role). With that in mind, when someone asks you about this painting, you are now well informed. You know what the picture represents, why the colors interact in the manner they do, and, most importantly, the type of canvas used to create the painting.
So, let’s look to grow and develop. Let’s be part of the many who stand tall and contest the negative perspective that has been casted on us long enough. Remember, we are committing ourselves to a service that the public does not recognize or appreciate. With that in mind, they never will if we stand in isolation from the many working parts of the system and remain ignorant.
Remember, we are greater than the sum of our parts and, as Correctional Officers and true Professionals, we need to know how this equation adds up. Right now, we need to see the greater picture and recognize our greatness. If we learn to appreciate each and everyone’s role in the system, we will begin to appreciate ourselves on a greater level. Again, I love what I do because I know and understand the importance of my role. If you ever feel a sense of doubt over your importance, don’t get defeated and look away from the painting. Instead, take a step back and look at the painting one more time and, this time, pay attention to the canvas.
Signed,
Your greatest fan