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CCA’s Capstone on Correctional Courage

New award for those who go beyond the call of duty

Courage Award Logo

It takes bravery to be a correctional professional. And now CCA is recognizing employees who go over and beyond in the name of courage.

This year, CCA is instituting a new companywide honor — the CCA Courage Award — which aims to give the most heroic employees their due. Its need stemmed from a process CCA undertakes every year — identifying one employee, out of more than 60 nominations, who is the most exemplary employee of the year.

“The idea developed from a need we recognized when reviewing ‘Employee of the Year’ nominations,” says Steve Kaiser, CCA managing director, Organizational Development, Staffing and Training. “We found that oftentimes employees were being nominated because of one particular, heroic act. And, really, the standard for the ‘Employee of the Year’ is living according to The CCA Way every day throughout the year, not a specific, one-time act.”

That’s why the CCA Courage Award fills an important gap by recognizing and rewarding valiant employees whose actions may have made the difference between tragedy and triumph at the workplace or in the greater community.

“We needed something to recognize these people — those who have risked their life and personal safety for the sake of others,” explains Brian Collins, CCA chief human resources officer.

Kaiser, with Collins and Damon Hininger, assembled the CCA Courage Award committee, consisting of wardens Shelton Richardson of Leavenworth Detention Center, Jim MacDonald of Florence Correctional Center, Robert Ezell of Torrance County Detention Facility, Eduardo Carmona of Bartlett State Jail, Tim Wengler of Idaho Correctional Center and Lee Vaughn of Cibola County Correctional Center.

Together, the committee defined an act of courage as one that saves a life or maintains the safety and security of a facility, even at the risk of personal safety, such as stepping in when an officer is being assaulted by an inmate and defusing an incident. Similarly, an act of courage could also mean stepping up when the community or a citizen is at jeopardy, in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency, for example.

“I don’t think most people understand that on a day-to-day basis people’s lives are in danger in a correctional setting,” Kaiser says. “Without acts of heroism or courage, people would potentially get hurt or die. Those who extend themselves in the service of our mission deserve to be applauded, just like they are in the Armed Forces.”

Awarding Courage

  • Applications are accepted year-round, available through facility Human Resources managers. Awards will be given in October of each year, beginning in 2010.
  • Employees at any level, in any position, and in any specialty or department, may nominate a colleague.
  • More than one employee per facility and more than one employee per CCA system may receive the award annually. A facility may submit more than one nomination.
  • Award recipients receive a plaque and lapel pin; companywide recognition in quarterly town hall meetings, InsideCCA.com and Correct Perspectives; a cash award; and a facility celebration with a visit by members of CCA’s executive leadership.

By K. Danielle Edwards
Correct Perspectives, July 2010

Sound Out

Pamalia Fleming at Adams County Correctional Facility:

I am a recently hired employee at ACCC and I think this is a profound measure for recognizing CCA employees who perform above the call of duties without contingencies. It is also a method of motivating those employees who lack in the performance of their duties because everyone should perform according to their job description and policy, however; there are some employees who extend themselves to help others without reservation or for personal gain and I have encountered a few of those employees in the short time of my employment; they are deserving of the CCA Courage Award. Thanks for recognizing and appreciating CCA employees!

Ken Murrell at Cimarron Correctional, Cushing, OK:

I think this is a great idea. We have so many outstanding Officers and staff. My hope is that a Cimarron employee is first to achieve this incredible honor. The award logo is impressive.

Lieutenant Gary M. Smith at Dawson State Jail, Dallas, TX:

I think this is a good idea. Awards and recognition for brave acts have existed for many decades for police and public corrections officers in city, county, state and federal facilities ranging from commendations to life saving awards to medals for courage and valor. It is a great morale booster to be recognized. I also like that more than one person can be nominated and win since there should be no competition for bravery and all who need to be recognized should be accorded honors.

William Eskildsen at Southern Nevada:

I am very excited to be starting a new career with CCA in Nevada this Aug, and truly think that companies dont give credit to employees like they should. I feel that awarding a Courage Award is the way to give staff a vote and will begin to build a great bond with the work force.