Category: The Comms Post

In corrections, strength is often defined by control, security, and command presence. Those are essential. But there is another form of strength that deserves equal attention—especially in communication. Kindness. Not performative. Not soft. But intentional, strategic, and grounded in respect. As World Kindness Day approaches, it is worth remembering that kindness in corrections is not… Read more

In corrections, we communicate with many audiences—elected officials, journalists, community partners, and our own staff.But two of the most overlooked are also the most personally invested: the families of our employees and the families of those incarcerated. For many agencies, contact with these groups happens only when something goes wrong—a staff injury, an escape, a… Read more

Corrections is a profession built on consistency and discipline, yet too often our communications and recognition efforts feel reactive or last-minute. We scramble on the morning of Correctional Officers Week to pull together a quick Facebook post, or realize only after the fact that we missed honoring Nurses Week or Suicide Prevention Month. These missed… Read more

Walk into any statehouse hearing on public safety. Watch a breaking news segment after a violent crime. Listen to debates on justice reform. You’ll hear about police. You’ll hear about courts. You’ll hear about victims and communities. But corrections? You’ll hear about us only when something goes wrong. And that is the problem. Corrections carries… Read more

Imagine being a frontline officer who gets a memo so full of jargon it takes three readings to understand. Or worse — learning about a major department change through social media before hearing it from leadership. Both scenarios damage trust, fuel rumors, and leave staff feeling disconnected from the agency they serve. In corrections, how… Read more

In corrections, we deal with some of the most complex, sensitive, and high-stakes scenarios in public service. From escape attempts to inmate deaths to facility lockdowns — the incidents themselves are complicated. Your news release shouldn’t be. Corrections professionals often make the mistake of thinking that more formal language equals more credibility. But when it… Read more

Each July, Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision (PPPS) Week gives us a chance to pause and appreciate the dedicated professionals who help people safely reintegrate into their communities. But for public information officers (PIOs) and agency communicators, this week is more than a celebration—it’s a strategic opportunity. Supervision professionals are often the most misunderstood segment… Read more

Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining your current public information approach, a strategic communications plan is essential for every corrections agency. It keeps your messaging focused, consistent, and ready for both routine operations and crisis events. Without one, you’re left reactive instead of proactive — and that can lead to confusion, distrust, or worse.… Read more

In corrections, communication is often seen as a task — something to be managed during incidents, briefings, or media interviews. But if we stop there, we miss a critical opportunity. Because communication isn’t just a task — it’s a culture. And like any culture, it needs to be built intentionally. Whether you’re a commissioner, director,… Read more

In corrections, silence isn’t neutral. It’s often interpreted as indifference, incompetence, or worse — concealment. For too long, silence has been the default response to uncomfortable questions, tough headlines, or high-profile incidents. But here’s the truth: Silence is a strategy… just not a good one. When corrections professionals don’t communicate — especially during critical incidents… Read more