A Department of Justice program found communication, caring, and compassion the key to addressing cultural needs within corrections.

According to the DOJ Office of Justice Programs, the mission of the Visiting Fellows Program by the Bureau of Justice Assistance supports corrections agencies by developing and transforming jail and prison environments and providing cross-developmental opportunities for staff, practitioners, and researchers. 

“The way the prisons and jails are designed, the way the policies are enforced, creates a situation where they [staff and residents] often feel disrespected, put upon, definitely harmed,” said Danielle Rudes, Ph.D. in a podcast called “Justice Today.” She said her fellowship focused on enhancing spaces and cultures within correctional facilities.

Rudes discovered that staff requested more appreciation and communication from the leadership. When she interviewed staff, most complained about the lack of coverage for double shift workers. If these stories go unchecked because of the lack of communication with management, they become a staff’s perceived reality, Rudes said in the article. 

Despite difficulties surrounding her research, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rudes discovered a possible source to assist in the transformation of negatively charged jail and prison environments. “It was fascinating how much the staff wanted to be helpful to each other and the residents – and something that most people probably don’t know, the residents want to be helpful to the staff, and they want to be helpful to each other.”