Why Corrections?


	JOSEPH E. DEMPSEY, CJM, MPA CHIEF I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "I wanted a career that would continually challenge me and allow me to truly make a difference". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Get into the field of corrections for the right reason. You have to have passion to be successful in this career".
	JOLI RISH SHUMPERT CJM, CCM, CBHC-CO LIEUTENANT/ACCREDIATION MANAGER I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "A friend was working as an E-911 operator and urged me to apply as well. While talking through some of the interview questions, the recruiter felt my personality was better suited for the jail. At the time, I thought the idea of working in detention absolutely absurd! But I’m also one that never shies from a challenging opportunity. I began with absolutely no expectations. I now know it to be my ministry". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Give yourself something to work toward—constantly".
	JAMES K. MARTIN, MT CHAPLAIN I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "Having grown up in a law-enforcement home, watching my mom serve the citizens of my community, created a thirst in me to do the same on the corrections side". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "to PRAY"!
	PENNY PERRY-BALONIER CHIEF DEPUTY OF CORRECTIONS I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "I was encouraged to do so by a dear friend of mine, who recently passed away. The corrections profession intrigued me. After much discussion about the challenges and opportunities available—and my friend’s support and passion for her profession—I decided to pursue corrections as my career". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Many avenues are available to you in in the field of corrections. This profession gives you the opportunity to make a positive difference in lives of those who work for you, those who walk through our doors at one of the lowest point in their lives, and those within the community".
	ROBERT LESLIE HOOD, CJM LIEUTENANT I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "I was looking for a job that was not dependent upon the weather. Once I entered the corrections field, I quickly realized this was not a job but a career. I thoroughly enjoyed going to work every day and eventually it became my passion". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Be a sponge. Attend all the training classes you can and listen to those who came before you. The profession continues to change: Be willing to evolve with it".
	SAM L. DAVIS, CJM, MA RETIRED MAJOR/JAIL ADMINISTRATOR I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "I was looking for a challenging career opportunity in a field where I could remake myself by doing far afield from what I had done most of my working life. A great opening came and I was ready to capitalize on it". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Corrections affords you the chance to work with people at one of the lowest points in their lives and yet possibly still help them to recognize that they can write a new chapter in their unfinished life".
	LOUIS A. QUINONES, JR., CJM, MSSL, CCE, CPM CHIEF OF CORRECTIONS I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "I was looking for a job with a good salary and benefits to support my family. As time went on, I began to learn more about the field of corrections and the importance of being a public servant. I enjoyed the impact I was making and decided to turn this job into a lifelong career". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Remember, a correctional officer is to provide care, custody, and control. We are not the jury or the judge. Treat everyone with respect. Remember the above because it is half the battle to a successful and safe career".
	JOHN W. JOHNSON, SR., CJM, MBA, CPM CAPTAIN I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "To be candid, I entered corrections as a stepping stone to become a police officer. However, after interacting with some of the individuals being processed through our criminal justice system, I realized that a lot of these people were experiencing the lowest point of their lives. Yes, some were hardening criminals, but many were good people in tough circumstances who needed help. Call it altruism, but that compelled me to stay so I could offer the referenced help to the extent I could". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Correctional work is about people, not punishment. As a correctional professional, you have the unique ability to help people, who are in many cases unable to help themselves. If this concept fits your way of thinking, this career can be very satisfying. Conversely, if you have a desire to participate in preconceived notions that involve forms of institutional oppression, you will not succeed".
	MICHAEL TOLERICO, CJM, BA, CPM WARDEN (RETIRED) I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "At the age of 24, with no money for college and bouncing between seasonal jobs, I decided to seek a career in public service that would not only provide employment stability for me and my pregnant wife, but would also give me with a sense of accomplishment and pride". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Take a tour. As a judge once told me after a tour of our jail, “It’s definitely not as advertised.” Don’t believe the myths about working inside a jail. It really is a challenging, yet rewarding career".
	SHAWN LAUGHLIN, CJM , MCJ DIVISION COMMANDER I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "I settled on the corrections profession while in college. I was fascinated by the prospect of truly making a difference in the criminal justice system. I recognized that the corrections system is the only part of the criminal justice system that can truly effect change upon the citizens that we come into contact with. It amazes me how the corrections profession has grown over the past 21 years. Such a diverse workforce, technology improvements, and better community awareness to our plight have all helped to make our profession a career". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Choose to work for an agency that you feel has the ability to help you grow both personally and professionally. Demand the best from your supervisors and give the best you can. Remember there is a fine line between “living to work” and “working to live.” Find the balance that allows you the freedom to experience life outside of this profession and never forget that you can make a difference if you choose to"!
	RONALDO D. MYERS CJM, CCT DIRECTOR OF CORRECTIONS I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "To be honest, my intention was be a police officer; however, like so many people I took the first job I could get after I finished college which happened to be correctional work. I found I enjoyed the work, and people". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Do not take things too personal. Corrections is an underappreciated field. No matter what you do in corrections, you are only as good as your last mistake. You can do a one million things correctly, but one miscue is remem-bered a life time. Do not take it personally".
	CAVIN HARLEY, CJM MAJOR (RETIRED) I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "As a 21-year-old living in my parents’ house, I needed a job that offered stability and security (no pun intended). My initial thought was that I would not be working in the jail very long; however, I saw a lot of opportunity for advancement in the criminal justice profession. So here I am 23 years later!" If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Always remember that corrections can be a thank-less job, and you may feel at times that you are being ignored for the job you do every day, but we are the “heroes behind the walls”!
	AMANDA (MANDY) LAMBERT, CJM DIRECTOR OF SUPPORT SERVICES (RETIRED) I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because... "I actually had no intention of working in the field of corrections. At the age of 15, I knew I wanted to be a police officer and follow in my dad’s footsteps. At the age of 19, I was recruited by the then-superintendent of the local jail while attending college. Back in the mid-1980s, you only had to be 19 years old to work in a jail and 21 to be a police officer. Within one year of working in corrections, I never thought about police work again. I knew that corrections would be my career"! If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "You have to be able to talk to people while wearing many different hats. If you don’t like that concept, the field of corrections is probably not a good option for you".
	MITCH LUCAS, CJM ASSISTANT SHERIFF I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because… "..of the people I met at the Charleston County Detention Center. When I went to Charleston County as the PIO, I was impressed by the way the jail staff stayed so motivated and dedicated, even though no one outside the jail ever saw how hard they worked or how good they were at their jobs. I told the sheriff that if I ever had the opportunity, I would like to work at the jail. My opportunity came in 2005. It was the best job I ever had, and I am still just as impressed with the jail professionals". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering a career in jails, it would be… "Understand the importance of your work. You will be a public servant in a criti-cal role, and no matter how good you are at your work, the public will probably never have the opportunity to thank you. That lack of acknowledgment does not diminish your value or importance in keeping the community safe".
	MIKE B. VITIELLO, CJM LT. COLONEL/JAIL SUPERINTENDENT I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because… "Initially, I accepted a job in corrections to relocate to Maine. Working as a corrections officer, I found that I enjoyed the job because of the challenges and the opportunity to do a variety of things each and every day. I have remained in corrections for 22 years for the same reasons". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Your ability to listen and relate to people is going to be your greatest asset".
	MARSHA TRAVIS, CJM, CCM DIRECTOR OF STANDARDS & ACCOUNTABILITY I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because… "..corrections found me. I completed an internship at the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office for my undergraduate degree and didn’t quite know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I applied for a full-time position to pay the bills and was hired. After several years, I discovered that I had no desire to do anything else". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "..try everything. You will learn so much even doing the “grunt” jobs that will make you well rounded in later years. Always be willing to take the challenging assignment and look for the way to make things better. Leave every-thing better than when you found it".
	ELIAS A. DIGGINS, CJM, CCE SHERIFF I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because… "my dad was incarcerated from time to time while I was growing up, which made me became very interested in the criminal justice system. When I was in college I saw a posting that the Denver Sheriff Department (DSD) was hiring, so I thought I would give it a shot". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "do it because you love serving others. If you cannot understand that, then this is not the field for you".
	JAMIE LYNN CLAYTON CHIEF DEPUTY CORRECTIONS (RETIRED) I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because… "I was promoted to Correctional Officer from Dispatcher II in August 1991. I enjoy the daily challenges and rewards of corrections and have a passion for my job. I often tell people that I have the best job in the world. There are never two days the same". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "Remember that not all offenders are “bad” people. Many of them are everyday people who have made mistakes. Often times we forget how easy it is to have incarceration affect our families or those we love. Treat offenders with respect until their behavior is no longer deserving [of that respect]. Don’t use incarceration as an avenue to demean someone. I know the question says one piece of advice, but I have one more: don’t miss oppor-tunities that come along during your career. You only get one shot at a special project or special assignment. Be willing to face a challenge and take opportunities. It can be the beginning of the rest of your career".
	DARWIN LONG FACILITY ADMINISTRATOR I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because… "I’m the Facility Administrator for the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Corrections in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. This is actually my second time on the Board. Previously, I was appointed to a one-year term". If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career, it would be… "to remember your family and take time for them. This career seems to have an invisible rope that tows you into the correction world and the next thing you know, your kids are grown up".