Good Morning,

 

Recently Warden Sandy Barrett and Watkins implemented a new initiative to cut down on the waste. Seems our SCDC manufactured clothing for inmates leaving the system seldom makes it beyond the bus terminal. Accordingly, Sandy and her staff have started a clothes closet. So far, they have saved $6,192, based on an average savings of $18.00 per inmate release uniform.

 

Bravo! I suspect that this program could be easily replicated.

 

Recently, I have been thinking about what more we can do to improve the culture of our institutions. Culture is most likely a reflection of the character of a population. While our population includes more inmates than staff, I am confident that staff can do more to affect the culture of a prison than the inmates housed in that prison. My concern with attention to detail is a reflection of that belief.

 

Anyway, I have been considering a system-wide approach to character education programming for staff and inmates. I have even searched on line to see what is available. Certainly inmates would benefit. How would staff view such a program?

 

While these principles seem basic to most of us, I am more and more convinced that generation gaps and cultural gaps are real and much wider than we suspect or want to believe. In other words, it is one thing to lie, cheat or steal, knowing that it is wrong. But, lying, cheating and stealing may not always be wrong in the minds of many of our fellow employees. Likewise, treating others with respect and decency may only be a situational requirement in the minds of some. Self restraint may not be a virtue in the minds of people we depend upon.  

 

Just like our mission statement and goals, there is some value in having certain basics ever present, ever in our consciousness.

 

What do you think? Is it worth the effort?

 

I have been encouraged by what I have found in my unannounced visits. Thank you and keep pushing forward.