This paper discusses the struggles encountered by correctional managers while formulating policies which are aimed at achieving the following objectives: strengthening the management of staff working within a correctional facility, ameliorating professional service provision to maintain the holistic wellbeing of inmates and implementing penal sentences that meet the needs of the offender, the victim and society in general.
The word policy is extremely hard to define since it holds different connotations and meanings to everyone. However, a common understanding of the word is about having a set of ideas which are used within a particular organization, in this case being the prison setting, in order to make particular decisions which can influence one’s behaviour. When creating a policy, for it to be well-structured and maintained, it needs to focus upon delivering its main objectives. The objectives of a prison revolve around the rehabilitation and reintegration of the prisoner. Correctional managers are faced with a number of challenges whilst, they are formulating such policies. These struggles are going to be discussed in the following sections.
Usually, when people talk about prisons, they only mention the physical attributes about them like for example, the locked-up building with bars. However, prisons are much more than that. They also consist of the essential roles of the staff working within them, who have a crucial part in the prisoners’ process of reintegration and rehabilitation. In order for the management to be strengthened, all the staff needs to understand their role within the prison, whom they should report to and be able to meet the needs of the service users, i.e. the inmates, society and victims.
Table of Contents
Introduction
(i) Struggles in strengthening the management of the Staff working within a Correctional Facility, whilst formulating policies.
(ii) Struggles in ameliorating professional service provision to maintain the holistic Wellbeing of inmates, whilst formulating policies
(iii) Struggles in implementing penal sentences that meet the needs of the Offender, the Victim and Society, whilst formulating policies
Conclusion
Objectives and Core Themes
This work examines the complex challenges faced by correctional managers when formulating policies aimed at strengthening staff management, enhancing professional service provision for inmate wellbeing, and implementing penal sentences that equitably address the needs of offenders, victims, and society.
- Strategic management of diverse correctional staff groups.
- Implementation of the biopsychosocial approach in inmate care.
- Ethical dilemmas in reconciling professional values with prison mandates.
- The impact of penal sentencing on offenders, victims, and social safety.
- Restorative justice as a framework for policy development.
Excerpt from the Book
(i) Struggles in strengthening the management of the Staff working within a Correctional Facility, whilst formulating policies.
Usually, when people talk about prisons, they only mention the physical attributes about them like for example, the locked up building with bars. However, prisons are much more than that (Coyle, 2009). They also consist of the essential roles of the staff working within them, whom have a crucial part in the prisoners’ process of reintegration and rehabilitation. In order for the management to be strengthened, all the staff needs to understand their role within the prison, whom they should report to and be able to meet the needs of the service users, i.e. the inmates, society and victims (Magretta & Stone, 2002).
The staff consists of three groups, which are; the civil servants, professionals and the correctional officers. Having three different groups working within the prison, may cause several struggles. This is because they all come from different cultures, and their mentality may vary. Hence, they all look at the clients from different perspectives. Nonetheless, finding the staff whom are adequate to work within the prison is challenging for the correctional manager. The way the staff treats and works with the prisoners, has a major impact on their rehabilitation and reintegration process. So, it is of outmost importance that the staff understands what the prisoner is going through (Saunders, Rosch, Katzenelson, Li & Curtis, 2017).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This section defines the concept of 'policy' within the correctional context and outlines the core objective of prison management, which centers on the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners.
(i) Struggles in strengthening the management of the Staff working within a Correctional Facility, whilst formulating policies.: This chapter explores the difficulties in managing diverse staff groups, the importance of role clarity, and the demotivating impact of status hierarchies and lack of training.
(ii) Struggles in ameliorating professional service provision to maintain the holistic Wellbeing of inmates, whilst formulating policies: This chapter details the challenges of employing professionals under a biopsychosocial model and the ethical conflicts that arise when balancing clinical values with prison security and control.
(iii) Struggles in implementing penal sentences that meet the needs of the Offender, the Victim and Society, whilst formulating policies: This chapter analyzes the need for restorative justice and the difficult balance managers must strike between humanitarian treatment of offenders and addressing the needs and safety of victims and the wider public.
Conclusion: This section reaffirms the critical role of correctional managers in ensuring that the prison system meets its objectives of rehabilitation and reintegration through effective policy formulation.
Keywords
Correctional management, penal policy, prison staff, rehabilitation, reintegration, inmate wellbeing, biopsychosocial approach, restorative justice, professional service provision, prisoner rights, staff training, victim needs, social impact, offender management, prison reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
This work explores the multifaceted struggles correctional managers encounter when developing policies to improve prison operations, staff management, and inmate care.
What are the core thematic areas discussed?
The themes include the professional management of diverse staff, the application of biopsychosocial healthcare, and the balancing of penal sentencing needs among offenders, victims, and society.
What is the main objective of the policies discussed?
The policies aim to facilitate the rehabilitation and successful reintegration of prisoners into society, which is identified as the primary objective of any correctional institution.
Which scientific methodology is primarily reflected?
The text employs a literature-based analysis of correctional management practices, organizational theory, and restorative justice frameworks to evaluate policy implementation challenges.
What does the main body address?
The main body breaks down three specific struggle areas: managing diverse staff groups, maintaining holistic inmate wellbeing through professional services, and implementing fair penal sentences.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include correctional management, rehabilitation, reintegration, biopsychosocial approach, restorative justice, and penal policy.
Why is the "biopsychosocial approach" significant for correctional managers?
It is significant because it requires managers to hire professionals from biological, psychological, and social fields to provide holistic care, which presents hiring and integration challenges within a prison environment.
How does the author describe the tension between social workers and prison staff?
The author notes that there are fundamental value clashes; while prisons prioritize control and order, social workers prioritize human relationships and wellbeing, often leading to ethical dilemmas.
Why is restorative justice emphasized in the final chapter?
It is emphasized because it provides a mechanism to repair the damage caused by crime, addressing the needs of the offender, victim, and society simultaneously.
What role does diversity play in modern prison management?
Diversity is crucial as prison populations consist of individuals from various cultural backgrounds, necessitating informed policies that prevent discrimination and uphold human rights.
- Citar trabajo
- Kimberley Bartolo (Autor), 2019, Sentencing, Penal Policy and Management in a Correctional Facility, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/958694
