NCJ Number
127330
Journal
American Jails Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (July/August 1990) Pages: 32-34
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
After identifying the differences between jail and community corrections, this article discusses issues in and standards for training jail personnel to serve in community corrections.
Abstract
Jails are designed to be secure facilities to be run under maximum control with minimum staff. The majority of jail staff are custodial officers who supervise inmates from control centers and guardposts with limited direct supervision. Community corrections, on the other hand, involve teaching offenders responsible behavior, whether the program involves work release, community service, or home detention. Community corrections staff assist and monitor offenders in rehabilitative programs. Communications are direct and face-to-face. One of the most important aspects of training ex-jail officers to work in community corrections is to show them how the jobs differ. One of the most important differences is the custody orientation. Although community corrections involves tasks designed to ensure public protection, the techniques of offender behavioral control are different in the community corrections and jail settings. Training subjects identified by the American Correctional Association for community corrections tasks include human relations, communication skills, problemsolving, guidance, group dynamics, crisis intervention, and special needs of residents. 8 footnotes and 7 references