Summary

Sidney Shoemake, a corrections officer in Tennessee, shares her journey into the field of corrections and her passion for helping people. She discusses her background in criminal justice and substance abuse counseling, which has been valuable in her interactions with inmates. Sydney emphasizes the importance of treating inmates with respect and building rapport with them. She also talks about the challenges she faces in balancing work and personal life, as well as the unexpected situations she encounters on the job. In this conversation, Sidney Shoemake, a corrections officer, shares her experiences and insights into working in the corrections field. She discusses incidents she has encountered on the job, the importance of training and skill development, and her goals for the future. Sidney emphasizes the significance of effective communication and building relationships with inmates. She also highlights the value of continuous learning and the impact it can have on the corrections community. Overall, Sidney's perspective offers valuable insights for new officers and highlights the importance of teamwork and leadership in the corrections field.

Keywords

corrections, law enforcement, criminal justice, substance abuse counseling, helping people, inmate rehabilitation, respect, challenges, personal life, use of force, corrections, officer, experiences, training, skill development, communication, relationships, continuous learning, teamwork, leadership

Takeaways

• Sidney Shoemake found her way into the field of corrections through her desire to help people and her background in criminal justice and substance abuse counseling.
• Treating inmates with respect and building rapport with them is crucial in the field of corrections.
• Balancing work and personal life can be challenging, especially for young professionals in the field.
• The first use of force situation can be overwhelming and requires training and experience to handle effectively. Effective communication is crucial in the corrections field, especially when dealing with inmates.
• Continuous learning and training are essential for personal and professional growth as a corrections officer.
• Building relationships and trust with inmates can contribute to a safer and more productive environment.
• Teamwork and leadership are vital for success in the corrections field.

Sound Bites

• "Interacting with the inmates... that's what keeps me going."
• "Respect, it's earned both ways for sure."
• "My first use of force... I had no idea what to do."
• "One of the biggest things in corrections is you just have to learn how to talk to people."
• "I like to learn anything. I'd like to go to a defensive tactics, like a whole week long, or really just anything. I like to just know it all."
• "It takes a special kind of person to come into the corrections field and do what you do and do it at a level that is inspiring to others."

Chapters

01:15
Finding Purpose in Corrections

04:30
The Importance of Respect and Rapport

08:36
Challenges of Balancing Work and Personal Life

16:53
Handling Unexpected Situations

31:01
The Class Experience and Teaching Others

32:43
Becoming an Instructor for Less Lethal

34:49
The Value of Continuous Learning

39:44
Leadership and Support in the Agency

41:20
Goals and Aspirations in the Profession

45:12
Transferable Skills from Corrections to Patrol

49:03
Advice for New Corrections Officers

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