Daily Living: The CCA Way

A practical look at living The CCA Way

The CCA Way commitment wall draws staff at Metro.

Knowing The CCA Way and the practicality of living it everyday are two very different things – and one is certainly more difficult than the other. To find out more about how our employees successfully live by The CCA Way everyday, we asked employees how they do it, especially in our challenging industry, and what they recommend for building a stronger CCA Way culture.

The Challenges of Living The CCA Way

Employees agreed that they do see failures in the living The CCA Way periodically at their facilities. Some employees admitted that there are several guiding principles that bother them most when not followed.

“Integrity is just so critical when you deal with people,” says Metro-Davidson County Correctional Facility Warden Brian Kohen. “It’s how you treat human beings. All we do is deal with his humans – it’s 90% of our day. In this field, our employees have to have integrity.”

“I think a lot of times it happens because it’s a habit or the person doesn’t realize the way they treat people or deal with people, professionally,” says FSC administrative assistant Anita Hutton. “Lack of teamwork bothers me the most. It’s a waste of time and energy if we’re not all working toward the same goal. At the end of the day, it’s all about CCA.”

“At our facility everybody does really well,” says Saguaro Correctional Center Lieutenant and SORT Commander Nathanial Samberg. “I am biased, of course. We communicate with each other well and supervisors are on the floor working so our staff can see the desired expectation.”

“I think teamwork is an issue right now for our department,” says FSC Training Manager Lisa Cecil. “We get lost on our own path. We don’t travel together on the same path to reach a common goal.”

“I think we fail to realize that we manage people, not posts,” says Willacy State Jail Case Manager John Butler. “Our job as leaders is to help employees embrace The CCA Way. It bothers me when I see employees just putting in their eight hours and not taking ownership of their responsibility. Sometimes were preachers; sometimes were principles. That’s the job.”

How can we do better? Be the Example.

When asked how CCA employees can improve and grow stronger in living The CCA Way everyday, employees unanimously agree that it starts from within - being the example for others is the key.

“About a year ago, my youngest son was traveling from Texas to Tennessee to visit me during spring break,” explains Cecil of her first-hand experience with The CCA Way. “Since he lives in another state, those holidays he visits are so important to me. On the day of the flight, we uncovered an issue when he checked-in at the airport. He was just shy of the age requirement to change planes alone. With no time to spare, I called Warden Robert Lacy and asked him for help.”

Warden Lacy asked a facility colleague to escort Cecil’s son between gates. Lacy’s assistance made all the difference. “I would do anything for Warden Lacy now,” says Cecil. “When we talk about the CCA Way - it means more than just sound corrections - it means taking care of one another.”

Sometimes a strong commitment to The CCA Way can be inspired by just one person. “What really guides me will always be my dad,” says Samberg. Nathanial Samberg’s father is former CCA Warden and NAAWS 2006 Warden of the Year, Mike Samberg. CCA’s highly regarded Samberg Leadership program was posthumously named in Mike Samberg’s honor in tribute to his leadership and commitment to The CCA Way.

“I know these are principles that he really respected and instilled in me,” continues Samberg. “So I just try to follow them all the time. I am very proud of his work. I’ve had the chance to travel to other facilities and always hear very positive things about my dad. I am honored to do what I do and be apart of something that meant so much to him.”

At Metro-Davidson County Detention Center, The CCA Way and Samberg Leadership are a mainstay in facility operations. “When I conduct a department head meeting, the first thing we discuss is The CCA Way,” explains Kohen. “I ask for examples they’ve seen of The CCA Way and I always get good stories about our staff.”

“Also, like some other facilities, we’ve painted a mural of The CCA Way on the wall,” Kohen continues. At the last staff recall meeting, Kohen asked every facility employee in attendance to shake his hand and sign the wall as a symbol of their commitment to The CCA Way. Every supervisor who completes Samberg Leadership signs a similar mural. “Every time an employee walks by the mural, they see an affirmation of their commitment to following the guiding principles,” says Kohen.

“Honestly, as a supervisor myself, I lead by example,” says Eloy Detention Center Correctional Counselor Bill Stokes. “If you don’t lead by example, The CCA Way is not going to happen. Employees need to see that.”

When leadership sets the example, everyone notices. “There are several people on Willacy State Jail’s leadership team that hold themselves to a higher standard,” says Butler. “They are highly motivated and set a good example, everyday, for staff and with their families. They may not realize the positive affect they have on staff, but I’ve learned, people are always watching – from inmates to fellow staff. I see it and I see the difference they make. Being among these strong leaders makes me want to be a stronger leader too.”

In a recent poll on Insidecca.com, 79% of employees responded that when it comes to The CCA Way, they get it right most of the time. Many employees, thanks to Samberg Leadership, already know their strengths and weaknesses. But employees agree that the most important component of living by The CCA Way is simply trying your best.

“At the end of everyday, my goal is to have lived, on a scale of 1-10 as 10 by The CCA Way,” says Butler. “I always want to do my best. I can’t ask anything less of myself.”

How Are Our Interviewees Doing with The CCA Way?

Anita Hutton Best principle: Teamwork
CCA Way Rank: 5.5
“There’s always room for improvement.”

Bill Stokes
Best principle: Integrity and Safety & Security
CCA Way Rank: 8
“I make mistakes every once in a while.”

Nathaniel Samberg
Best principle: Integrity and Respect
CCA Way Rank: 8
“I take life one day at a time. I do my best to set the example.”

Warden Brian Kohen
Best Principle: Integrity
CCA Way Rank: 8
“No body is perfect. We learn by making mistakes.”

Lisa Cecil
Best Principle: Service Driven
CCA Way Rank: 7.5
“My job here is to serve the employees.”

John Butler
Best Principle: Accountability
CCA Way Rank: 8
“As for The CCA Way, my goal everyday is to be a 10.”

Correct Perspectives, September 2009
by Jenna Slocum