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we can endure. The undeniable fact is that exposure • “If you are struggling, you are not weak, weird or
to trauma, especially when it happens intensely and broken. You are human, and you are not alone. Reach
repeatedly, can have a multitude of adverse effects on out and get help when you feel it is time. There are
those so exposed. many great people out there that are willing to help
you. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed about it.
Concluding Thoughts Reach out and get your life back!”
Some of my communications with corrections How “good” are you? 
personnel from agencies across the country and
overseas fill me with joy and hope that the “I’m good!” Reference
code of silence is indeed being gradually taken apart in Friedman, M., & Higson-Smith, C. (2003). Building
several corrections workforce cultures. psychological resilience: Learning from the South African
I’m thankful that increasingly more correctional police service. In: Paton, D., Violanti, J.M. & Smith, L.M.,
agencies are providing a variety of wellness resources (eds.), Promoting capabilities to manage posttraumatic stress:
for their staff, while acknowledging the damage Perspectives on resilience. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
occupational stressors confer on staff’s physical,
psychological and spiritual health.
In closing, here are the thoughts of two corrections Caterina Spinaris, PhD, LPC, is the founding director of
Desert Waters Correctional Outreach, Inc., a Colorado-based
professionals who have addressed these issues publicly: 501(c)(3) corporation with the mission to advance the well-
• “The biggest reason people like you and me go being of correctional staff and their families, and the health of
correctional agencies, through data-driven, skill-based training.
undiagnosed is denial. It is the fear and stigma She may be contacted at caterina@desertwaters.com.
attached to ‘mental health’ that keeps us from
seeking the help we need. It is the unfounded fear
that our brothers and sisters will think poorly of us
and think us weak. It is this fear I am attempting to
overcome in the hope you will overcome it as well.”

Election time is here! Ballots are to be mailed
and electronic voting opens on January 14,
2022. Ballots are due February 14, 2022.

Your vote is important and decides how AJA continues
to represent your interests and needs.

This is your opportunity to vote for the officers and members
of the Board of Directors who will manage the American Jail
Association for 2021–2022. For this election, AJA members
vote for 3rd Vice President, Treasurer, and four seats for a
3-year-term director.

Your e-mail address needs to be current in order to receive
electronic ballot information. Look for an email from
Association Voting with log-in instructions to vote online.

To ensure that you receive a ballot, log-in to your profile to
confirm your address.

If you have any questions, contact
Michele Florian at michelef@aja.org.

AMERICANJails JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2022 | 13