Anne Arundel County Superintendent of Detention Facilities, Christopher Klein, will host a nationwide webinar on proactive strategies to foster a culture of peer accountability and support to prevent misconduct.

The webinar titled “Building a Resilient Correctional Culture: The Power of Active Bystandership” focuses on fostering a proactive, supportive environment within correctional facilities to prevent misconduct and promote accountability. The session, co-hosted by Superintendent Klein, will emphasize the importance of active bystandership. This strategy is when peers intervene constructively while witnessing potential harm or unethical behavior among employees. Notably, Anne Arundel County in Maryland is pioneering this initiative, becoming the first jail system to train all its staff in active bystandership.

Interested parties can now register for this webinar that will take place Thursday, May 15, at 1pm. Content will underscore that creating a culture of intervention requires more than policy—it necessitates consistent training, leadership support, and a shift in organizational mindset. By embracing these principles, correctional facilities can build a more resilient and ethically sound environment. 

These kinds of strategies not only reduce stress on the entire team but have the potential to bolster retention and recruitment. They can also mitigate increased liability that can cost the local government and tax payers money. Legal settlements can lead to six and, sometimes, seven figure judgements to be paid. As previously covered on Conduit Street, these programs have been run by Georgetown University, and the like, to improve outcomes for both employees and incarcerated individuals.