Kelli Callahan, a 25-year law enforcement veteran, has taken on a new challenge: rehabilitating convicted sex offenders. Learn how she manages the high levels of stress and controversy that comes with treating the convicted.
By Leischen Stelter
Three men were recently convicted of using a drone to drop drugs and other contraband into a Maryland prison. Drones pose a new and major threat to correctional institutions and other secure facilities. Learn ways administrators are addressing drone threats using technology and training.
Jordan Garza is a former corrections and police officer who has been in public service for 10 years. “I understand the physical and mental barriers of the veterans I work with. That has helped me with assessing their needs and educational and career goals,” he says. Read more about Jordan’s career.
By Leischen Stelter
Many assume working in a volatile and often dangerous environment surrounded by criminal offenders would be the leading cause of stress for officers, but that’s not the case, said AMU criminal justice professor Dr. Michael Pittaro during his keynote address to the New Jersey Chapter of the American Correctional Association (NJACA) conference.
By Leischen Stelter
Technology can improve officer and inmate safety and make correctional facilities more efficient, yet many facilities still rely on paper records and manual systems. AMU criminal justice faculty member Ron Wallace discusses the challenges of integrating technology like automated offender systems and inmate tracking systems into correctional facilities.
By Daniel Scorza
Unlike law enforcement officers, correctional officers have minimal tools to deal with unruly or threatening inmates. Most correctional officers only carry a radio, restraints, and sometimes a baton. Therefore, correctional officers must be highly trained in tactical communication, also commonly called “verbal judo,” which can quickly calm down an inmate and help de-escalate a situation. Learn more about this practice.
By Anthony Galante and Jeremy Nikolow
Drones are very effective at delivering contraband into correctional facilities. They can be flown into tight spaces and can drop packages with extreme precision. These characteristics have caused drones to become a substantial threat to prison security. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution to the problem of drone intrusions within correctional facilities.
By Leischen Stelter
Adopting a different leadership style could have a dramatic impact on correctional officers and improve the effectiveness of correctional facilities. Learn more about this style of leadership and how it can help boost morale and satisfaction among correctional officers and change the culture of corrections.
By Jennifer Bucholtz
In January, I wrote an article about the forensic evidence presented in Steven Avery’s trial. This article sparked interest from many people including a group of high school students enrolled in a forensic science class. The teacher asked if students could send me questions related to the forensic evidence of the case. Here are their questions and my answers.