What it means to be a Correctional Professional
Winning Entry for NCOEW Essay Contest
A Corrections Professional by definition is a person charged with the responsibility of the supervision, safety and security of prisoners in a prison or jail of similar form of secure custody. Also these officers are responsible for the care, custody and control of individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial while on remand or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in a prison or a jail. However this conclusive and very small definition does not define what is means to be a Correctional Professional. According to CCA what it means to be a Correctional Professional requires twelve guiding principles which are, Safety and Security, Quality, Accountability, Service Driven, Cost Effectiveness, Teamwork, Innovation, Integrity, Respect, Trust, and Loyalty.
Safety and Security provides freedom from fear, anxiety and doubt. The CCA Correctional Professional is dedicated to every action in protecting our communities and individuals in our care which means that they should understand policy and procedures, post orders and safe working practices.
Quality provides excellence. The CCA Correctional Professional strives for excellence by providing a distinct service that is designed to produce an effective product that works.
Accountability means to hold ourselves accountable to every action. The CCA Professional is held accountable to a high standard of ethics that allow us to be good stewards to our customer’s interest.
The CCA Correctional Professional is Service Driven by taking pride in serving our governments and communities with the ability to problem solve and provide practical, effective solutions in a timely manner.
Cost Effectiveness means “Waste not, Want not”. The CCA Correctional Professional is mindful that a penny saved is a penny earned.
Teamwork according to the CCA Professional means together everyone achieves more.
Communication is the ability to listen and share information. The CCA Correctional Professional possesses the ability to interpret information given and received which allows for respective and honest effective communication.
Innovation is the ability to think creatively and boldly. The CCA Correctional Professional is a go-getter with the ability to adapt new ideas for the betterment of the company and its prospectors.
And last but not least are Integrity, Respect, Trust and Loyalty. These four ethics are what a Correctional Professional is in every aspect which is honest, appreciative, reliable and dedicated.
In summary, a Correctional Professional is not a small definition but a set of guiding principles that were designed by Corrections Corporation of America to provide the best service in corrections.