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How to use CorrectionsOne to develop your CO career

Whether preparing for a promotional interview, looking for training materials, or about to finish the CO academy, there’s no richer resource than the one you’re reading right now

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Check into enrolling in the CorrectionsOne Academy, too!

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By Chief Joel Shults, C1 Contributor

Thomas Jefferson said, “Knowledge is power, knowledge is safety, and knowledge is happiness.” Imagine having an encyclopedia about corrections at your fingertips. You do – it’s called Corrections1.

Whether you are preparing for a promotional interview, looking for training materials, or about to finish the correctional officer training academy and looking toward your first day on the job, there’s no richer resource than the one you’re reading right now.

But are you getting the most out of this site? Here are 10 ways you can dig deeper.

1. Actually read the article.

As a PoliceOne columnist and Corrections1 author, I know from some of the personal feedback I get, as well as the comments after my articles, that the commenters have read the title, formed an opinion about what is going to be said and jumped directly to their own conclusion. A reader must give the writer time to develop the themes and thoughts through the flow of the whole article. Sometimes the editor writes the title and that can slant a reader’s expectation away from the writer’s intent. Especially on a controversial topic, readers can come to the article with a chip on their shoulder and develop an immediate adversarial perspective before digesting the information.

2. Don’t judge the facts by the writer’s bio.

There are a variety of knowledge bases from which writers craft their message. Be an open-minded learner. Just because you don’t like lawyers doesn’t mean you should ignore what they have to offer. I often get accused of being a mere desk jockey with no relevant street experience because I have been a chief and a university professor. Respect what writers have to offer. If you don’t agree with their conclusions, let it be based on facts and not your assumptions about their “street cred.”

3. Check out the archives.

There are several ways to enjoy articles on C1. A word search is available at the top of the page to access topics by keywords. Drop-down menus list topics of interest, with subtopics a click away. Interested in contraband control? Prison gangs? Correctional management? Hit the topics and explore. Have a favorite columnist? Click the profile picture next to an article they’ve written and see what else they’ve penned.

4. Engage with the writers and editors.

I’m only an email away. Click any writer’s name and send a personal message, suggestion, attaboy, or opinion. You might be surprised how helpful they can be on directing their readers to more information or explaining a fine point from their article. I love hearing from my readers, both good and bad, and always respond

5. Contribute articles, photos.

Do you have an area of expertise you would like to share? Did you snap an amazing photo others should see? Scroll to the bottom of the page and hit the contact button to email the editor.

6. Sign up for newsletters.

If you have appropriate LE credentials for viewing all of the content, hit the My Profile button to inquire about free membership. This will allow access to correctional officer-only content and allow you to comment on articles. There are several specialty newsletters that focus on unique areas of interest. Check out the newsletter list under the News tab at the top of the page.

7. Watch correctional training videos.

Hours and hours of training videos are available, with special access to sensitive material for members. Click the Video tab on the navigation bar at the top of the home page. Check into enrolling in the Corrections1 Academy, too!

8. Click on the ads.

Find out what is the latest in equipment and technology by exploring the advertisers’ pages. You’ll be up to date on the most recent and useful tools available for your job now and in the future.

9. Listen to correctional officer podcasts.

We have podcasts! Listen to Anthony Gangi’s Tier Talk podcast covering current issues and events.

10. Share content.

Forward relevant articles to your peers, trainees and supervisors to show you are keeping current on developments in law enforcement. Check out CorrectionsOne’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages to share the great information and insights.

How have you used Corrections1 in your career? Please share in the comments below.


About the author
Joel Shults operates Street Smart Training and is the founder of the National Center for Police Advocacy. He retired as Chief of Police in Colorado. Over his 30-year career in uniformed law enforcement and criminal justice education, Joel served in a variety of roles: academy instructor, police chaplain, deputy coroner, investigator, community relations officer, college professor and police chief, among others. Shults earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri, with a graduate degree in Public Services Administration and bachelors in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Central Missouri. In addition to service with the U.S. Army military police and CID, Shults has done observational studies with over 50 police agencies across the country. He has served on a number of advisory and advocacy boards, including the Colorado POST curriculum committee, as a subject matter expert.

His latest book The Badge and the Brain is available at www.joelshults.com.

Follow Joel on Twitter @ChiefShults.

Contact Joel Shults

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