Effective Means of Teaching and Developing Emotional Intelligence in the Corrections Industry

Richard Skiba

doi:10.4236/aasoci.2020.106012

Abstract

In a recent skills forecast undertaken by Australian Industry Standards (Australian Industry Standards, 2019) related to the Corrections Industry, the Industry Reference Committee, through its consultations, determined that Correctional Officers need to interact with a diverse and varied range of people at any given time and they may also encounter high-tension situations. Given the nature of the Corrections industry, soft skills gain more prominence in this space. One of the primary soft skills identified is emotional intelligence. This paper firstly contextualises the need for development of emotional intelligence in Correctional Officers such that this skill can be effectively utilised in a rehabilitative environment. The paper recognises that an ability to read, interpret, comprehend, and react to inmate emotions as well as to manage their own emotions can impact on the Correctional Officer’s work environment and well-being, as well as their safety, and also positively impacts on the inmates. Increased emotional intelligence may contribute to the prevention of security incidents in a corrections facility. The CSC Correctional Services Training Package does not include units of competency specific to defining a competency standard for utilisation of emotional intelligence in a corrections setting. The majority of the training in this area is conducted internally by institutions, rather than by Registered Training Organisations, and as such, a range of performance criteria that can be used for program definition is outlined such that adult learning principles can be integrated into the delivered programs. Likewise, a suitable delivery model, using Learning Conferences, is specified as a potential delivery model.

Highlights

Australian Industry Standards (2019) note that the industry is moving towards a more rehabilitative model rather than an institutional one, aiming to improve offenders’ physical and mental welfare
This paper firstly contextualises the need for development of emotional intelligence in Correctional Officers such that this skill can be effectively utilised in a rehabilitative environment
Australian Industry Standards (2019) concur, outlining that the Corrections workforce needs to rely on individual cognitive skills and emotional intelligence to build rapport and sympathy with offenders in order to communicate effectively and resolve or de-escalate conflicts

Summary

Introduction

Australian Industry Standards (2019) note that the industry is moving towards a more rehabilitative model rather than an institutional one, aiming to improve offenders’ physical and mental welfare. Pittaro (2020) informs that emotional intelligence is loosely defined as the capacity or ability to be aware of, control, including an expression of one’s emotions. This extends, likewise, as an ability or capacity to cope with interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. Pittaro elaborates that this is essentially, self-regulation of an individual’s own emotions and being able to “read” the body cues and emotions of others. Emotional intelligence is a critical skill for correctional officer dealing with inmates, where these regular interactions can be both challenging and draining (Pittaro, 2017a)

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Discussion

Conclusion