EDITOR'S CORNER

This week, regular columnist Barry Evert offers what he’s learned regarding how people can decipher another’s body language, and then use their own to protect themselves from a possible aggressor. The report examples he provides should prove invaluable to anyone caught in these situations.
Jim

Tell us what you think at editor@corrections.com.

FEATURED STORY

Know your body language

By Barry Evert

Converting self-protecting actions to the written word

Many people have attempted to decipher body language as a means of predicting human behavior. Many of these people are self-proclaimed professionals who have never spent a day in a job where reading body language can be a life saving skill. Many of us in corrections and related law enforcement careers already possess the skills to “read” a person based on their physical behavior, but have a hard time articulating it in a report or in court.

Many of us have faced an inmate or suspect that we know has violent tendencies. We can usually base this on the first five seconds of contact. We’ll assess the environment, and ask if we have a tactical “out” - is there a way for me to get out of the situation should the inmate or suspect gain the upper hand on this situation? Second, we should look at how the person is standing. Commonly we associate a “bladed” stance (one foot in front of the other, standing sideways to your adversary) as an aggressive posture. The person will be standing partially sideways, commonly with his hands above his waist. More

Have an article, story idea or opinion? Send them to editor@corrections.com.

LOOKING AHEAD

Developing Stories Upcoming stories on Corrections.com and the Corrections Connection ezine Mentally ill residential treatment units Your stories - what practitioners do in their off-time Getting the word out, online CO forums What would you like to read about?

Focus Issues 2007 September Education & Training - What’s new from area conferences October Health - Coverage of current health issues and programs Submit an idea for a focus issue

CORRECTIONS.COM FEATURE STORIES

More butter, less guns

Senators on Capitol Hill are pushing a new bill to increase funding for law enforcement agencies’ gang suppression tactics. In light of the gang report recently released by the Justice Policy Institute, they might want to reconsider. More

1.7 million’s a crowd

You’ve probably seen a lot of ‘prison overcrowding’ stories grabbing the headlines lately. According to the latest Pew Charitable Trusts report, Public Safety, Public Spending, the projected growth rate of the United States prison population for the next five years will triple that of the general population. That translates to adding a whopping 192,000 inmates to an already stretched system. More

Micromangement - A view from the other side

There are very few who would argue in favor of the merits of micro-managing. Unnecessary and relentless attention to detail frustrates competent staff, provides fodder for division, and allows a foothold for manipulative prisoners. It is a nearly universal sentiment that micro-managing is absolutely wrong in all instances. In fact, there is a time and place for this style of management in corrections. And understanding the different kinds of micromanagers helps us to cope with their methods. More

BUSINESS NEWS

Med 101 Allows Medical Staff To Buy Direct and Save 40%

Last December Med101store.com opened its doors and began selling disposable medical supplies direct from the warehouse, an unprecedented move that promises to impact the way medical supplies are purchased in this country. More

Federal Bureau of Prisons licenses ATG’s pharmacy administration system

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (Bureau) has licensed ATG’s Pharmacy Administration System for all its 114 institutions nationwide. The system has been successfully piloted and full deployment is expected to be completed in 24 months. More

Community Education Centers acquires CiviGenics

Community Education Centers, Inc. (CEC), the leading provider of offender reentry services, today announced that it has acquired CiviGenics, Marlborough, Mass., the largest provider of in-prison treatment programs. More

CAREER WATCH

New wardens for Kentucky FRANKFORT, KY – Mervin (Merv) Haddix has been promoted to Deputy Warden of Kentucky’s Frankfort Career and Development Center. Read more

Visit our job center today Employers: Post Jobs View Resumes Job Seekers: Post Resume Search Jobs

EVENTS

ACA 137th Congress of Correction

Date: 8/10 - 8/15/07
A valuable opportunity for all corrections professionals, in both treatment and security. More

Recognizing, Understanding & Managing the Problem Public Safety Employee

Date: 8/20/07
Public Safety agencies nationally face the problem of administrators and supervisors spending a disproportionate amount of time dealing with malcontent and disgruntled employees.More

Physical Surveillance

Date: 8/20 - 8/24/07
This training will provide the participant the knowledge of proper planning methods and techniques for conducting a successful foot, vehicle and stationary surveillance operation in an urban setting. More

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."
- Sir Winston Churchill

Unsubscribe