Juvenile Corrections Officer (JCO) Core Training
Unit 4.0: Communication
Instructional time: 2 hours
1. Welcome and introductions
2. Objectives:
a. 4.3.1 Identify effective ways to give commands to juveniles
b. 4.3.2 Identify methods for speaking to a juvenile who is not complying with commands
c. 4.3.3 Identify potential non-verbal cues and their possible meaning
d. 4.3.4 Identify types of juvenile behaviors that can be prevented or mitigated through effective interpersonal communication
e. 4.3.5 Identify the barriers to effective communication in a juvenile facility
f. 4.3.6 Identify privacy implications related to answering questions or otherwise divulging information about juveniles
g. 4.3.7 Identify potential problems related to communicating with fellow officers in the presence of juveniles
h. 4.3.8 Identify the topics an officer should or should not discuss with a juvenile
3. Effective communication is important
4. Discuss effective ways to give commands/directives to juveniles: Clear and concise commands, confidence when giving commands, not allowing juvenile to persuade the officer while giving directives, even tone of voice, etc.
5. Discuss methods to speaking with a juvenile that is not complying with commands: Remove the audience, focus on how the current behavior will not improve anything, do not raise voice, do not take non-compliance personally, stay non-judgmental, etc.
6. Identify potential non-verbal cues and their possible meaning: Facial expressions, acting aggressively, withdrawal, not making eye contact, etc.
7. Identify types of juvenile behaviors that can be prevented or mitigated through effective interpersonal communication: Fights, agitation and aggressiveness towards staff, self-injurious behavior, non-compliant situations
8. Discuss the barriers to effective communication in a juvenile setting: Presence of other juveniles, noise, time and programming constraints
9. Identify privacy implications related to answering questions or otherwise divulging information about juveniles: HIPAA, CPS, facility classification, charges/pending court case
10. Discuss potential problems related to communicating with fellow officers in the presence of juveniles: Juveniles overhearing information regarding other juveniles, personal information about staff
11. Communicating effectively
12. Topics an officer should or should not discuss with a juvenile: Negative discussion of other coworkers, legal advice, religion, juvenile’s court case, personal information, the juvenile’s good/bad behavior, movies, sports
13. Identify the importance of effective communication in a juvenile facility
14. Identify the steps to take when there is a communication barrier: Inform supervisor, conduct debriefs after incidents