'Culture' is Not Just Something Found in Yogurt

CC Pro — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:06:00 GMT

In the dynamic profession of corrections, organizations must adapt to many different challenges. This necessitates defining, planning, and strategically managing an agency's mission and goals. This can not be accomplished effectively without a thorough examination and understanding of the elements that make up its organizational culture. "Organizational culture is defined as the values, assumptions, and beliefs that people in an organization hold that 'drive the way they think and behave within the organization'" (Cooke, 1989).

The National Institute of Corrections Institutional Culture Initiative has produced a guide that "presents a model designed to produce higher quality work, build collaboration and interdependence, create safer and more secure environments, and, ultimately, help correctional facilities move strategically toward (a) more positive culture that will improve the quality of life for both staff and offender" (p.iii). Among the areas presented are: inventorying the organizational culture; building culture; a new approach to strategic planning and management; the process of change; and sample data-gathering and planning tools.

This guide is available in hard copy, at no cost, from the National Institute of Corrections Information Center by calling 800.995.6429 x 4426 or by using the link below to order online. It may also be downloaded here.

FREE: Order Building Culture Strategically: A Team Approach for Corrections

Thinking About Corrections : Strategic Planning

'Culture' is Not Just Something Found in Yogurt