The Shakedown by National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO)

It has been said that the holiday season is “either super up or super down.” Whichever it is for us depends on our mindset. If we are looking for reasons to be frustrated, discouraged, or cynical…there will always be plenty of material available. This path ALWAYS leads to heightened stress, anxiety, and can result in depression. The data is clear that the best remedy to this

We work in a dangerous and stressful environment…no kidding! Some of that we have no control over, but as supervisors, the cultural environment is our responsibility. Our officers need an environment in which their personality and strengths can be recognized and utilized. They need an environment that is not conducive to toxic and negative influence from other employees. They nee

Speaking to supervisors…what cultural environment do we create, facilitate, or allow on our shifts? In this episode, host Aaron Dawson discussed fostering a cultural environment in which our officers are free to grow. That means that they will make mistakes, but as long as they are minor mistakes as a result of the learning process…that’s growth. Secondly, does the environmen

In this episode, host Aaron Dawson continues the conversation dealing with the responsibility of supervisors. The officers are our responsibility! What do they need? In this episode the discussion centers around the “routine” of corrections. Do our officers know WHAT is expected and do they know HOW to do it? As supervisors, it’s our responsibility to know the answer to those

In this episode, host Aaron Dawson continues the conversation began in the last episode discussing crucial skills that supervisors must have in dealing with staff. What do our staff need from us? In this episode, we continue by discussing the third and fourth things supervisors must provide. The third item is a consistent and realistic level of intensity. If we “flip out” every

Jails across the country are experiencing “staffing issues.” Why? There could be a host of contributing factors, but one very likely factor is the lack of training being provided to those in supervisory positions specific to supervising people. In this episode, host Aaron Dawson discusses two things that supervisors must provide their officers. The first is expectations. What d

In this episode, host Aaron Dawson continues the conversation with attorney Alisa Brodkowitz dealing with legal mail. In this episode, they discuss a recent case that came before the 11th Circuit Court as well as a bill that is currently being considered in Congress. The discussion moves to the benefits of using technology in jails as well as the risks that technology can pose. The

The Shakedown is excited to interview Alisa Brodkowitz, and attorney and the CEO of Lightning Law to the podcast. While at JAILCON, host Aaron Dawson and Ms. Brodkowitz struck up a conversation about legal mail and decided the discussion needed to be had on the podcast. In this episode, Ms. Brodkowitz shares some basics about legal mail as well as some common misconceptions and mis

Hopelessness and despair are potent emotions that can profoundly influence us. Often, it isn’t difficult to find events in our lives to promulgate those emotions. However, we do not have to surrender ourselves to them, we can take some practical actions to provide ourselves with some layers of psychological safety. In this episode, host Aaron Dawson wraps up this conversation con

Where do suicidal ideations come from, and is there anything that we can do to help protect and fortify ourselves against them? In this episode, host Aaron Dawson continues the conversation from the previous episode, sharing some simple and practical actions we can take to provide ourselves with some layers of psychological safety. Life can be difficult, and corrections is a field