PREA RESOURCES
I am glad John endorsed the NIC training video on setting boundaries. NIC offers a number of helpful training resources for transforming correctional workforce culture: http://nicic.gov/Training/ . Hopefully, some of these resources and the others that follow will support your jurisdiction as it deals with the issues your RSAT program has been facing.
Research has shown that staff finds additional training on boundaries very useful and suggests it may help prevent staff misconduct. The NIC PREA Project also offers the publication, “Anti-Fraternization Policies and their Utility in Preventing Staff Sexual Abuse in Custody”: http://www.prearesourcecenter.org/library/510/resources/training-materials
Research on increasingly common incidents of sexual misconduct involving female correctional staff and male inmates is scarce. However, Dr. Michael Alexander has compiled an exceptional resource in “Romantic Relationships with Inmates” - available at: http://www.prearesourcecenter.org/library/506/research/staff-sexual-misconduct, from the research library at the PREA Resource Center website.
A quote from the abstract states:“This paper addresses the causes and consequences of romantic relationships between female correctional staff and inmates. Particularly, this research seeks to better understand what correctional managers can do to reduce the likelihood of these inappropriate relationships.”
Reported incidents of female staff sexual misconduct involving male inmates in prison settings are more common than reports of sexual misconduct involving male staff and female inmates, although the opposite may be true in jails. The paper makes sense of this perplexing trend and presents strategies for preventing it from occurring.
One factor that seems to contribute to an environment where boundaries can become permeable, that might be relevant to therapeutic community settings, is related to work assignments where male offenders assist female staff and work under their supervision. The paper lays out the elements that contribute to the equalizing effect that may result from this arrangement. Other information on staff characteristics that may increase vulnerability, training that preserves professional boundaries, and supervision practices that reinforce appropriate staff/offender communication are all included.
In 2011 & 2012 BJA awarded grants to several states to become demonstration sites, including both the Ohio Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Kentucky Department of Corrections (more on demonstration sites at: http://www.prearesourcecenter.org/training-and-technical-assistance/bureau-of-justice-assistance-demonstration-sites ). It can be worthwhile to contact colleagues working on PREA prevention measures in these states to discuss strategies they are implementing.
Regional Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) trainings for health and mental health staff are offered at no charge. Nashville, TN. trainings are schedule for late October: http://www.prearesourcecenter.org/news-events. For information and materials on PREA training for behavioral health and healthcare staff developed by the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare visit: http://www.prearesourcecenter.org/library/510/resources/training-materials