NCJ Number
129646
Journal
American Jails Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (March/April 1991) Pages: 60-63
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A structured learning network is presented as an approach to improve training of county jail staff in New York.
Abstract
Lack of training of jail staff is attributed to local government administration of jails, limited financial resources, and negative attitudes of the public toward jails. To solve this problem, New York State in 1986 initiated a structured regional network controlled by the county staff of small departments. The significant impact of this change was the increased amount of training available to county jail staff. Several metropolitan departments have expanded both the length of their basic training and offerings of advanced courses. To change public perceptions of corrections, corrections professionals, and county jail staff in particular, need to enhance their self-image by thinking differently about themselves. The regional network approach to staff training provides this opportunity for change. It removes the isolation through training with neighboring counties and increases confidence by delivering training courses that present local corrections as a real profession. 5 references