Ethics and Leadership from the Tier

We often think ethics as being really removed from corrections. After all, we are working with people who seem to have never heard of the word before or due to gang participation, have an upside down understanding of the word.

But we often practice ethics: we practice firm, fair and consistent on a daily basis. We demonstrate it to the inmates in how we work with each other. And often, it is the way we treat each other that shows inmates, even gang-bangers, how to be ethical people.

They study us 24/7, most often to figure out how to beat us. It is when they are watching us that they see how we treat each other. And they watch us most keenly when we are at odds with each other: they are looking for that opportunity, that chance to isolate one of us.

It is here that our ethics are challenged. It is here that we can become leaders. When we do the right thing (being fair), disagree about how things should be done, but resolve to continue (being firm) to do what needs to be done until an appropriate correction can be made (being consistent), that we have the big impact.

Not every one of the inmates will be impressed by what we do, how many times have we been sworn at, spit at or worse for adhering to a policy we disagree with. But there may be one or two, maybe three who see this. And it is these few who may suddenly resolve to never come back, upon whom the greatest impact is made.