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Conflict Resolution Services, Inc.
Transformational Programs
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www.teamcrs.org Transformational Programs |
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Participant Comments: “The Super Supervisors course certainly addressed The Office of Training’s need to have our supervisors better enabled to motivate and lead line staff. I am constantly amazed at the transformation our staff experiences during your training sessions. There is actually a paradigm shift from the rigidity and inflexibility ingrained in Corrections, to the understanding and acceptance of the value of community and teamwork . . My greatest hope is that the teamwork and supervisory tenets you shared with us will eventually become the tenets by which the Department of Corrections manages. I look forward to that day.” Major
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Is there a need for Community Building Experiential Training in Corrections? Consider the following:
Everyone of the above factors relates to poor attitudes, poor communication skills and a lack of connection among staff. Community Building Experiential training programs directly and effectively address these issues. |
"I personally have seen a major difference in the way they perceive themselves, the way they interact with one another and the way they interact with support staff, whether they be social service or maintenance. Also, the rate of sick abuse or not coming to work has dropped and the overall attitude of the workplace has improved." Captain "Our prison system, like so many other departments, has had its share of conflict between the various disciplines within the department. However, this training has resulted in a new camaraderie between those same disciplines. It's amazing to see how staff who have had the training are working together, solving problems and getting the job done without conflict." Captain “I
felt like a dead battery for the last 10 years, but your program changed all
that. It charged up my morale and
my attitude.” “Before the program, our departments were hostile and barely communicating. Now, we actually enjoy helping each other out.” Sergeant “The Employee Development Center told us as supervisors what our job was and you taught us how to do it.” Lieutenant “It turned an anger prone problem employee into the ‘Employee of the year.’” Lieutenant |
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Goals of Community Building Experiential Training in Corrections: There are two primary goals of each correctional training program; to build skills and to develop community. The skills can be any of a variety that may be needed, such as:
The second goal of community building is especially beneficial in corrections. The training model design naturally brings people together, regardless of their history. This connection brings down pre-existing barriers allowing participants to more openly and honestly look at themselves, each other and their work. Everyone can experience this kind of transformational process. The research on the Community Building Experiential training process indicates that a vast majority of participants are positively changed. Departments have become pro-actively cooperative, individuals have changed their attitudes and how they relate to each other, and supervisors have begun communicating "with" and not "at" their staff. The overall impact is that the "internal culture" has been changed from competitive, power and control based to cooperative, collaborative and respect focused. This is all accomplished not by telling people what to do [which doesn't work], but by allowing the group's innate health and each individual's innate health to surface. We all have the ability to heal ourselves [both physically and emotionally] and our organizations, if we are allowed to lower our barriers of fear, resentment, power and control. This may seem strange, but this process works effectively and consistently and has been doing so for decades, although not as long with correctional staff. Each training is designed collaboratively with the client. There are no "canned" training programs. Some clients have incorporated the training as part of their orientation of new staff or as part of their on-going in-service training. Another possibility is training regular line staff to carry on this training independent of outside consultants. The model is simple enough to learn for most staff. When incorporated, the impact of this training will be improved communication, improved relationships, lower stress, and higher morale, creativity, productivity and security. |
“Words can not express the value of the training you have conducted at the Academy. The impact you have had on my staff, personally as well as professionally, is remarkable. After the first training workshop, there was a definite change in attitude and I saw a cohesive bond develop between many of my staff . . . I have also overheard conversations between staff when suddenly one of them would use one of your expressions or refer back to something they had learned during the workshop to refocus the conversation. There can be no greater compliment or validation of the effectiveness of the training program.” Major “Before our unit was about to self-destruct and now you have brought us together as a team.” CO during new employee training. “I loved it. I had fun. I gained understanding and it was so positive. It was as close to perfection as possible.” CO “This training is an integral piece of developing a more cohesive staff.” Manager “The best overall workshop I have attended. The exchange of ideas and information among the participants, the wonderful sense of rapport that evolved during the week and the feeling that together, we can solve difficult problems.” Manager “I especially liked the realness of the program. I will use what I have learned at home and on the job for the rest of my life.” CO |
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Independent Research: Initially reluctant participants rated training excellent [70%] or good [27%] and over 80% were using skills learned six months post training during this 6 year government agency training program. For full research study, click here. |
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The American Correctional Association's journal, "Corrections Today" [December, 1999] feature article: "Experiential Conflict Resolution for Prison Staff." This article describes the six year staff training program that involved over 70% of the Philadelphia Prison System staff [all departments, all levels] and is now an essential part of the orientation/training of all new security staff. The trainings changed attitudes of individuals and departments, enhanced supervisory and interpersonal skills, improved the internal prison culture and benefited the lives of staff both on and off the job. The effects of the training were strongly in evidence over six-months after the initial trainings. Line staff were trained to carry on the trainings which was a tremendous cost saving attribute of this program. Click here for the complete article. |
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Workshop Evaluations: |
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Conflict Resolution
Services, Inc. Interpersonal Skills and Attitude Development |
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