Breaking Barriers Episode 7: Strengthening Teamwork Among Correctional Staff
Breaking Barriers Podcast Skills Training for Correctional Workers
Release Date: 05/10/2025
Episode 20 Nonverbal Communication and Its Impact
Breaking Barriers Podcast Skills Training for Correctional Workers
Nonverbal communication. It’s something we all engage in every single day. Without even uttering a word, we’re constantly saying something through our facial expressions, body language, and even the way we occupy space. If words are the melody of communication, nonverbal cues are the rhythm that gives them meaning. Today, we’re breaking down the unspoken language of human interaction. Along the way, we’ll share some fascinating research, practical tips, and a few real-life stories to help you harness the power of nonverbal communication in both your personal and professional life.
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Episode 19 Workplace Ethics in Correctional Facilities
Breaking Barriers Podcast Skills Training for Correctional Workers
Today, we're going to dive deeper into the critical role of ethics within correctional facilities. We'll explore some of the unique challenges correctional professionals encounter on a daily basis, ranging from maintaining impartiality to handling situations that may provoke personal biases. We'll examine the power of ethical decision-making, offering insights into how employees can remain fair and just, even when faced with morally complex dilemmas. Finally, we’ll discuss how embodying strong ethical principles can transform not only the workplace but also the lives of those within it,...
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Episode 18 Effective Observation and Reporting
Breaking Barriers Podcast Skills Training for Correctional Workers
Understanding Observation At its core, observation is the ability to notice and interpret details. It’s more than simply seeing or hearing; it’s about actively engaging all your senses to gather meaningful insights from your surroundings. Observation allows you to connect the dots, uncover hidden details, and understand the bigger picture. Imagine it as a superpower that enables you to read between the lines, whether in the workplace, in social interactions, or even when solving everyday puzzles. Why does this matter? Because everything starts with awareness. Observation serves as the...
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Episode 17 The Role of Empathy in Managing Difficult Situations
Breaking Barriers Podcast Skills Training for Correctional Workers
Before we unpack the role of empathy, let's take a moment to reflect on the incredible challenges correctional workers face every day. These environments are rarely predictable, requiring staff to remain vigilant, think on their feet, and mediate conflicts within seconds. Correctional facilities are often high-pressure environments where even a small oversight can escalate into a major incident. Alongside the physical risks, there are emotional challenges such as burnout, compassion fatigue, and the constant pressure to balance authority with approachability. Workers are tasked not only with...
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Episode 16 Identifying and Preventing Contraband Entry
Breaking Barriers Podcast Skills Training for Correctional Workers
Contraband prevention is one of the core responsibilities of correctional staff and plays a vital role in maintaining the safety and security of facilities. It’s a task that comes with significant challenges, requiring constant vigilance, strategic thinking, and a deep sense of accountability to ensure that prohibited items don’t compromise the well-being of staff, inmates, or the institution as a whole. Smuggling tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it essential for correctional staff to stay ahead with effective tools, training, and strategies. Today’s episode is all...
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Episode 15 Promoting a Rehabilitation-Oriented Mindset
Breaking Barriers Podcast Skills Training for Correctional Workers
In this episode, we’ll explore how to rebuild your resilience when the weight of the job feels overwhelming. We’ll talk about the signs of burnout and how to recognize when you’re reaching your limit. Most importantly, we’ll share practical tools and strategies to help you prioritize your mental, emotional, and physical well-being in an environment that’s often filled with stress and challenges.
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Episode 14 Understanding Cultural Sensitivity in Correctional Settings
Breaking Barriers Podcast Skills Training for Correctional Workers
Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s absolutely VITAL for corrections officers, criminal justice professionals, and community advocates alike: cultural sensitivity in correctional settings. In environments where people from vastly different backgrounds interact daily, understanding the role of culture is not just helpful—it’s essential. Cultural sensitivity isn’t just a concept; it’s a skill set, a mindset, and a bridge to creating safer, stronger, and smarter correctional environments.
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Episode 13 Stress Management for Correctional Facility Staff
Breaking Barriers Podcast Skills Training for Correctional Workers
In today’s episode, we’ll dive deep into what stress really does to your mind and body, from draining your energy to impacting your decision-making skills. We’ll talk about how to recognize the warning signs before stress takes over—those moments when tension builds, and you find it harder to focus or relax. Most importantly, we’ll share actionable strategies to help you take back control of your well-being. From effective breathing techniques to managing your workload, we’ll explore ways to reduce stress and build resilience, so you can show up as your best self both at work and...
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Episode 12 - Setting the Tone for a Respectful Environment
Breaking Barriers Podcast Skills Training for Correctional Workers
Respect is more than just a word—it’s a powerful tool that can transform the way correctional facilities function. Today, we’re exploring the power of respect on three levels: respect for your colleagues, respect for the inmates, and respect for yourself. These elements, when combined, create an environment that promotes safety, order, and connection, even in the high-pressure world of correctional work.
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Breaking Barriers Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health Challenges Among Incarcerated People
Breaking Barriers Podcast Skills Training for Correctional Workers
Mental health in correctional facilities is not just a point of discussion; it’s a call to action. The challenges faced by incarcerated individuals struggling with mental health are immense, from limited access to care and stigmatization to the lack of adequate systems to address their needs. But change is possible. And YOU have the power to be part of the solution. Whether you're a correctional officer seeking new approaches to your work, an advocate fighting for reform, or simply someone curious about the systems shaping our society, this episode is for you.
info_outlineIn today’s episode, we’re diving into a theme that’s not just critical in workplaces but also quite literally holds correctional facilities together: teamwork. We’ll explore what effective teamwork looks like, how it can be fostered in the most challenging settings, and why it’s essential for achieving success, no matter the industry. Let’s get started!