Page 6 - 2021_American Jails NovDec

president’s
commentary
Caring for Staff Who Served
Mandy Lambert, CJM As we continue to learn
more about managing COVID-
19 in our environment,
I wanted to take this
opportunity to discuss our
military veterans. In jails
across the country, amazing
and progressive work is
being implemented in our
programming for inmates
who are military veterans
and who may suffer from
PTSD. Unfortunately, the
veterans who work in our
jails are rarely given the same
attention.
Although many
jails operate under the
“paramilitary” structure,
hiring personnel are generally
unaware that there may be
veteran benefits for their
employees who possess
service records, and it is
not uncommon for these
newly hired veterans to
also be unaware of their
benefits. Thus, they need to
develop a relationship with
their local Veteran Affairs
Administration.
…our veterans bring a
significant and critical
set of skills that can
benefit jail operations.
4 | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 AMERICANJails
From Military to Corrections Year of Unknowns
One of the most pressing We have contended with a
issues for jails is translating year and half of unknowns. It
the military skills of service has been stressful, scary, and—
members into the jail quite frankly—total grit and
environment—whether grind. We must consider the
the position is healthcare, impacts this level of stress has
corrections officer, or food had on the industry. Let’s face
service. What we do know it; we have been on the front
is that our veterans bring a line of a global pandemic.
significant and critical set Now, weave in our service
of skills that can benefit jail members who are still in, or
operations. Some examples have transitioned out, of the
of this include work ethic, Armed Forces. The climate of
teamwork, and adherence our country has called upon
to rules and schedules. our military to confront our
Service members by way of own citizenry in times of
their military training are incredible stress and against
mission-driven. It is worth the unknown. We must
the investment to work with consider the possible effects
external partners to recruit our this has caused on our veteran
transitioning service members. staff and how we manage it.
As I stated earlier many As we move forward,
jails are identifying their and hopefully into a time
veterans inmates and of pandemic bygones, I
addressing their PTSD with encourage you to remember
heavy doses of trauma-related our military forces. Their
programming. I implore all sacrifices, courage, loyalty, and
of you that we must do the commitment to all of us. For
same for the veterans on our those of you who are fortunate
staff. Our transitioning service to have veterans working
members need our support with you, remember the
and resources to achieve characteristics and skills they
success in the workforce. bring to the corrections world
As this relates to my and learn from them. As we
initiative on staff health and approach Veterans Day, please
remember to honor, thank,
wellness, it is imperative we
also consider the needs of our and appreciate our service
service men and women as members.
we move toward adopting Be well and be safe.
programming, including
peer mentoring and support
processes for staff. I trust that MANDY, LAMBERT, CJM
the professional leaders in our President
industry will continue to strive American Jail Association
to address staff health and
wellness in the workforce.