Correctional Leadership

610 Words2 Pages

Having individuals that are professional is a key element to maintaining and establishing prisons that will house humans. Without an inspiring leader there is intelligent and competent there is very little hope for a chance for decent prisons. Leadership is sometimes developed, and some are born with the traits to become leaders. The literature on correctional leadership is limited, leadership and those that qualify to become leaders of a correctional institution should always be motivated. Although I have no knowledge firsthand about corrections and have never worked in a correctional setting my information of what it takes to be a correctional leader is limited. Leadership for any institution requires the individual to be mature and …show more content…

In society today, the prison system has a blend of different cultures, leaders and workers must be equipped to handle cultures that are unfamiliar to them. Education on leadership helps to ensure the leader is component, reliable, has the motivation to lead large groups of individuals and make the organization a success (Jacobs, & Olitsky, 2012). Most of the correctional and penal leaders have entered their position at the entry level position. Those that enter the position must be capable of overseeing thousands of staff and inmates, skills for management are essential to be effective in the role of leadership, corrections has three organizational models the authoritative model, bureaucratic model, and the participative model, the authoritative model has the presence of a strong leader that has firm control of the prison environment and harsh discipline of inmates and staff, the bureaucratic model revolves around strict systems, but it does not put all its focus on dominating personalities the rules are specific with a clear standard of operating, the participative model is more open and democratic, it relies on input from staff on how the institution should be ran (Carlson, & Garrett, 2008). There exists a need for leaders that have a clear vision for change and that will motivate and inspire others. They must set rules that are clear and must be enforced. …show more content…

They must be approachable, have morals and values. Leaders should value the process of change and be willing to try something different even though it may fail. Failure is something that a strong leader will chance for the betterment of the facility and the inmates. He/she must be above reproach have a sense of business and the ability to negotiate policy and procedures when necessary. He/she should be innovating and bargain for reforms, programs, and making sure corruption has no place in the facility. Ethics and core values are a must and have knowledge of the prison law are necessary for leaders of correctional institutions for the operation to operate with

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