An Insider’s Look at Top Social Media Sites for Corrections Professionals
The most popular online destinations for water cooler conversation and connections
Although most correctional officers aren’t required to use a computer for their daily duties, many are plugging into virtual worlds after work. Thanks to social media networks like Facebook and corrections-centered websites, correctional professionals of all ranks are making their online presence known in a big way, which is an indication of a broader trend.
According to the Nielsen Company, people spend the majority of their Internet time on social networks and blogs, and their homepages are most commonly social media sites. In fact, in the past year alone, average time spent on social networks jumped from about three and a half to over six hours per month — a 100 percent increase in the U.S.
Here, some corrections professionals — most of them from CCA — share their top picks for sites where they congregate with colleagues, keep up with industry news and simply stay in the loop.
Facebook.com
It’s no surprise that Facebook.com, one of the most-trafficked social networking sites on the Web, is also one of the top spots where corrections professionals link up. Since its launch in February 2004, Facebook has grown to include more than 400 million active users worldwide, surpassing MySpace.com and other social networks.
“Social network sites have redefined how individuals — including corrections professionals — communicate,” says Chris Howard, assistant warden at Citrus County Detention Facility. “I joined Facebook about a year ago at the urging of friends and colleagues and out of pure curiosity.”
While Howard uses Facebook for social and entertainment purposes, it’s also a networking tool that keeps him in touch with corrections colleagues across the nation. In fact, CCA has its own Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/correctionscorp with more than 1,200 fans.
“Social networks give staff an opportunity to share thoughts and express themselves about events at their locations,” Howard adds. “For instance, in January 2009, when two Citrus employees unexpectedly passed away, many staff expressed their feelings and thoughts with each other via Facebook.”
“I’ve got Facebook friends I worked with 20 years ago,” says Vance Laughlin, warden at Adams County Correctional Center. “Probably over half of my Facebook friends are work-related.”
But most of the chatter among colleagues, Laughlin says, isn’t work-related — it’s just everyday conversation about their lives. “I try to mold most of my postings around CCA and the facility, but not all of them,” he says.
CorrectionsOne.com
Laura Bedard, warden at Moore Haven Correctional Facility, has written articles for CorrectionsOne.com for more than two years. A spinoff from PoliceOne.com, CorrectionsOne publishes industry news, gives tips on workplace procedures and offers corrections professionals a forum to ask questions, exchange stories and simply connect with one another. CorrectionsOne also has a Facebook fan page with 13,000+ fans. Additionally, the site maintains a presence on Twitter and LinkedIn.
“It’s a great site for staying current with what’s happening in the world of corrections,” Bedard says.
She has forwarded CorrectionsOne articles to her coworkers to keep them in the know on a range of topics, too.
“I think social media Web sites are really beneficial for corrections professionals," she says. "With the multi-generational workforce we have, some of us who are older in our careers need to look at this technology because this is what our officers are looking at; this is how they’re communicating.”
InsideCCA.com
InsideCCA.com is one of CCA’s top online sources for company news. Launched in January 2009, the site receives an average of 400 visits each week. Visitors can read about facility happenings companywide, link to videos on CCA’s YouTube.com channel at www.youtube.com/InsideCCA, and check out one of the site’s newest features — “Let’s Talk” — where CCA president and CEO Damon Hininger shares his thoughts on various topics, and visitors are invited to join the discussion. They can also comment on InsideCCA articles.
Linda Sevison, quality assurance administrative clerk and public information officer at Idaho Correctional Center, visits InsideCCA and other CCA sites at least once weekly to stay informed.
“The information on InsideCCA has provided a springboard for story ideas, news releases and other projects at our facility,” Sevison says. “It also provides me with contacts at other facilities, who can answer questions I may have regarding a story or project about their facility, and I enjoy reading comments from other CCA employees.”
Other Websites
CorrectionalCorner.com, Corrections.com and ACA.org are also industry favorites. CorrectionalCorner and Corrections post news, have interactive features and more. Visitors to ACA.org can find online training, industry research, student opportunities and other resources.
Art Leonardo, executive director of the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents, frequents each of these sites.
“CorrectionalCorner has good podcasts and news about the latest products,” he says. “Corrections.com is basically a news service with some opinion, and ACA gives news about upcoming conferences.”
Where do you congregate with other correctional professionals online? Share your favorites by submitting a comment in the "What Do You Think?" box.
By DeAndra Mack
Correct Perspectives July 2010
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Tatiana Murrieta at Central AZ:
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Very good read! Thanks DeAndra!