For generations, corrections has been defined by three core responsibilities: care, custody, and control.
They are foundational. They are necessary. And they are not going away.
But they are no longer sufficient on their own.
In today’s corrections environment, there is a fourth responsibility that underpins all three, whether we acknowledge it or not: Communication.
The Three Cs Still Matter. But They Don’t Stand Alone Anymore.
Care cannot be delivered effectively if policies are unclear, expectations are misunderstood, or rumors fill the gaps left by silence.
Custody breaks down when staff do not receive timely, accurate information, or when the incarcerated population is left to interpret events through speculation and misinformation.
Control erodes when communication is reactive, inconsistent, or delayed, especially during incidents, emergencies, or periods of organizational change.
Communication does not replace care, custody, or control.
It supports them.
It strengthens them.
And when done poorly, it undermines all three.
The Old Model Is Outdated
For decades, corrections agencies operated under an unspoken communication rule:
Say as little as possible, as late as possible, and only when absolutely necessary.
That model might have worked when information moved slowly, media cycles were predictable, and internal communication rarely extended beyond roll call and memos.
That world no longer exists.
Today:
- Staff receive information from social media before supervisors.
- Families learn about incidents through news alerts, not official channels.
- Incarcerated individuals share information instantly within facilities.
- Elected officials expect proactive updates, not reactive explanations.
- Communities demand transparency, even when the message is difficult.
Silence is no longer neutral.
Delay is no longer harmless.
And “we’ll address it later” is often interpreted as avoidance.
Communication Is Operational, Not Optional
Communication is not just about media releases or public statements. It is not a function that belongs only to PIOs.
It is:
- Internal communication with staff
- Direct communication with the incarcerated population
- External communication with the public
- Briefings for elected officials and oversight bodies
- Outreach to families of staff and incarcerated individuals
- Coordination with partner agencies and community stakeholders
Every one of these audiences forms opinions and makes decisions based on the information they receive, or do not receive.
When communication is unplanned, inconsistent, or improvised, agencies lose credibility. When it is intentional, timely, and clear, agencies gain trust, even during difficult moments.
Communication Must Be Planned, Not Just Performed
Adding a fourth C means treating communication with the same seriousness as the other three.
That means:
- Planning communication before incidents occur
- Developing templates, protocols, and approval pathways
- Training leaders to communicate, not just manage
- Ensuring staff understand the “why,” not just the “what”
- Recognizing that internal communication failures often become external crises
It also means accepting that communication is not about perfection. It is about presence, clarity, and consistency.
This Applies to Every Facility
This is not a conversation just for large state systems or media-heavy jurisdictions.
Jails.
Detention centers.
Regional facilities.
Private operators.
Rural agencies with limited staff.
Every corrections agency operates in a communications environment, whether it chooses to engage with it or not.
The question is not if communication will shape outcomes.
The question is whether agencies will shape communication intentionally or allow it to shape them by default.
Time to Update the Model
Care.
Custody.
Control.
Communication.
Corrections is changing. The profession is evolving. Expectations are higher. Scrutiny is greater. And trust is harder to earn and easier to lose.
Adding a fourth C is not about optics.
It is about operational reality.
The agencies that recognize communication as a core responsibility will be better prepared, more resilient, and more credible in the moments that matter most.
And the ones that do not will continue to wonder why incidents escalate, narratives run ahead of facts, and trust erodes before they ever have a chance to speak.
Continuing the Conversation
Corrections Communicated exists to support the professionals doing this work every day. As the role of communication continues to evolve inside jails, prisons, and detention centers, we will keep sharing tools, frameworks, and practical guidance to help agencies communicate with clarity, credibility, and purpose.
Explore resources, articles, and updates at CorrectionsCommunicated.com.
For agencies seeking strategic communications support, learn more at PDRStrategies.com.
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