What? Wait! We Need to Talk to the Press: Public Information Officers/Correctional Communication Administrators and The Importance of Telling our Story

The Correctional Communications Administrator (CCA) Course was developed in response to an observed need to provide more formalized training to develop, support, enhance, and expand the role of the CCA. In the past, communication directors in prisons and those in similar roles in jails and community corrections would meet separately for symposiums through the National Institute of Corrections. The new CCA curriculum was designed to align communications training between community corrections, jail, and prison CCAs to expand the knowledge and skill base available to those in the role. 

NIC recognizes the important role of communication staff in successful agency outcomes and the safety of incarcerated individuals, staff, the public, and the orderly operations of correctional agencies. The most successful agencies in corrections are those whose leadership masters a comprehensive agenda to address the expectations that stakeholders demand. Consistency, transparency, and the ability to effectively communicate mission inside and outside the organization is paramount. During this course, we will concentrate on the prominence of this leadership role and the knowledge and skills that CCAs must have to effectively communicate on behalf of their organizations.

Presenters

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  Dr. Rowlanda Cawthon 
  Dean, College of Professional Studies, Northwest University 
  Dr. Rowlanda Cawthon serves as dean of the College of Professional Studies and associate professor at Northwest University. She worked in the criminal justice profession for eleven years before transitioning to higher education. Her correctional experience includes serving as a correctional unit supervisor, community corrections officer, business analyst, and communications consultant. Dr. Cawthon is the managing principal for Rowlanda Cawthon & Associates, LLC. She has served as a curriculum developer and leadership and management trainer on multiple projects for the National Institute of Corrections. Dr. Cawthon is a passionate and innovative leader who has capitalized on her leadership experience in corrections and doctoral education to drive change in her workplace. Her passion is delivering content on transformation leadership, and she has served as a keynote speaker on the topic for profit, non-profit, and governmental entities. She co-instructed an international consulting experience for MBA students in Prague, Czech Republic, and has taught organizational consulting for doctoral students. She is equally committed to developing transformational leaders in all professional sectors. Dr. Cawthon earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Puget Sound; a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Chapman University (Ft. Lewis Campus); and a doctor of education degree in organizational leadership from Brandman University.
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  Jeff Hanson 
  National Program Advisor, National Institute of Corrections 
  Jeff Hanson has thirty-six years in corrections. The first thirty-five were completed with the Oregon Department of Corrections as parole/probation officer, correctional counselor, and for twenty years as the evidenced-based practices (EBP) coordinator for community corrections in Oregon. Mr. Hanson is a trainer in Motivational Interviewing, LS/CMI, WRNA, EPICS, and a host of other EBP-related curriculums. Jeff joined the National Institute of Corrections one year ago and is involved in multiple projects, including frontline leadership, safety matters, learning and performance coach training, and the Correctional Communication Administrator course.
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  Belinda Stewart 
  National Program Advisor, National Institute of Corrections 
  Belinda Stewart has worked in the corrections field for over 40 years. She has expertise in executive management and program management and has demonstrated strong leadership in human resources and labor relations. She is known for being innovative and has a reputation for improving organizational practices and growing people’s leadership potential. Ms. Stewart began her career in corrections serving as an assistant superintendent for two community corrections centers with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections in 1981. Eleven years later, she transferred to Washington State to expand her correctional experience. During her tenure with the Washington State Department of Correction (WA DOC), Belinda served as superintendent of Cedar Creek Corrections Center, McNeil Island Corrections Center, Washington Corrections Center for Women, and Stafford Creek Corrections.