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contests and drawing contests Scavenger Hunt, which occurred sheets of paper, precut shapes, con-
culminated in participants win- within the inmates’ housing unit struction paper, and tape. Working
ning prizes, with the recipe contest as we were still in semi-lockdown. as a team, they had one week to
ending with a cookbook containing Inmates were challenged to com- decorate their housing units. There
the participants’ recipes and a cover mit specific random acts of kind- were three rules that would disqual-
designed by the drawing contest ness during a two-week time ify them if broken:
winner. period. Their random acts included • Items could not be used to cover
After gauging the participation acknowledging staff members in a light fixtures.
and interest of the inmates, the cor- positive way. The goal of the hunt • Items could not cover window.
rectional program specialists within was to bridge the gap between • The inmate could be placed on
social services were tasked with uniformed staff and inmates and to restriction during the week of the
finding ideas for more contests and ease tensions within the facility. The contest.
altering their existing curriculums contest came to an end with inmates
(without compromising the fidelity giving deputies small handwritten Ninety-two housing units
of the program) for the state of the notes that simply said “You matter.” between two facilities participated
correctional facility at the time— Our largest contest was during and none was disqualified! All of
and as we transitioned out of full the holidays. It was called Deck the contests proved to be a positive
lockdown. the Halls. Each housing unit that way to engage the inmate popula-
Our next contest was called was interested in participating was tion in both of our facilities.
the Random Acts of Kindness provided with colored pencils, large

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