Continuous Development Training

On April 1st, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) implemented a new change-based training scheme, which includes a social work component. BOP, along with the Department of corrections and the Department of homeland security, plans to train officers in a new five-step program. In effect, this will bring additional focus and emphasis to the field of corrections.

 

The new five-step training initiative builds on the BOP's current initiatives to improve safety and security, preventing inmate-related violence, reducing the number of prison beds across the nation, and promoting better offender supervision. According to a press release from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, current and newly assigned corrections officers will receive training in risk management, leadership, mental health, correctional counseling, crisis deterrence, and compliance management. According to Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Dan Byman, "These are all core components of the federal correctional program." These new five-step programs will supplement the current BOP's current grant writing and grant application processes. In addition, Byman stated that the goal is to implement these risk management and compliance programs throughout the entire federal correctional system, not just in BOP facilities. This is the first step in ensuring the best practices of the federal government are being utilized by state agencies in training their employees.

 

According to Byman, the goal of the five-step plan is to ensure that correctional officers are well-trained in both the critical aspects of their jobs, and how to provide excellent health services to those in their custody. Specifically, the emergency trauma care training will provide information on how to deal with psychological and physical emergencies in a safe and timely manner. The Orientation to Emergency Trauma Care will give correctional officers an opportunity to learn how to deal with the inmates' sudden illness or injury in a manner that effectively prevents injury.

 

The next priority on the list of the Correctional Health Care Training Program is to educate frontline staff members on the proper use of force. This is an important skill that is not always taught in the traditional classroom environment. Byman stated that the goal for the PHC is to make sure that staff members understand the legal limits, as well as the necessity and appropriate use of force, when dealing with an inmate. As an example of when the use of force may be appropriate, he noted that the use of pepper spray may often be the only option during an altercation between a dangerous inmate and staff members.

 

Another skill that is taught during the PHC is to ensure proper restraints and body position during the booking process. Byman explained that a patient who is resistant or combative may be placed in leg and arm holds that are not secure. This could result in the inmate being unable to cooperate with officers or with themselves during the booking process. Continuous Development Training also addresses the need to ensure that staff members know how to safely restrain and control patients during other instances in which they may feel threatened. Some of these skills include checking body positioning for signs of unconsciousness or mental status.

 

Throughout the training, there are lessons learned about the responsibility of medical personnel in making sure that inmates in the PHC receive the highest level of medical care possible. One of these lessons learned was that a physician should have the ability to make a 'mild' self-explanatory statement to ensure that the court does not become involved in the decision of what level of medical care is needed. This is important because of the controversial cases of medical neglect in the federal correctional system. For example, Mr. Muhammad Ali, who suffered from mental illness, died in prison after several medical procedures atypical of his condition.

 

There is a final lesson learned bulletin from the PHC that would include addressing any communication issues between the psychiatrist and the patient during the course of the booking process. The recommendation would include providing the inmate with a copy of the medical records upon arrival so that there would be no confusion in the final report of the doctor. It would also advise that the inmate would need to sign a form acknowledging that they understood the necessity for medical care and the consequences of ignoring health care.

 

As a final thought, it would be recommended that the psychologists responsible for the continued education of their staff should hold a hearing to address the recommendations in the Continuous Development Training lessons learned bulletin. At this point, it is important to state that these recommendations would not change the current PHC policy regarding medical neglect. In the event that medical distress occurs, the PHC will consider whether or not the circumstances are "toxic" enough to justify the loss of a human life. If the death is deemed unnecessary, the offender will be subjected to lengthy periods of incarceration in supermax or super detention without possibility of release while the criminal offense of which they are accused remains on their criminal record. All offenders will have their rights protected under the United States Constitution.