NJ Cops Oct18 | Page 46

2018 NJ State PBA The Voice Main Convention Corrections USA encourages New Jersey corrections officers to address issues with legislation ■ BY AMBER RAMUNDO Everyone was ready for lunch on the first day of the 2018 Convention, when presentations continued into the early af- ternoon. But state and county corrections officers ignored their hunger for a bit. Buffie McFadyen, executive director of Corrections USA, stressed that lunch would be worth the wait, as she proceeded to review vital tools necessary to strengthen the voice of correc- tions officers’ job security across the country. “Corrections USA is fighting for the unsung heroes of law en- forcement,” stated McFadyen, a former Colorado state legisla- tor. “We have one of the toughest professions in the U.S., being corrections officers day in and day out, yet so few people actu- ally understand what it is we do.” As a leader of Corrections USA, McFadyen is perpetuating the mission to help make corrections safer and more efficient by encouraging officers to educate and build relationships with policymakers. Sick of local government trying to privatize and consolidate prisons? Tired of budget cuts and high turnover rates among staff? McFadyen says the answer to these issues comes down to leading conversations with legislators and, even further, getting them to visit the facilities to see what it’s really like to work in- side of them. “Often when I talk about corrections with the public, they think we’re glorified babysitters,” she admitted. “They wouldn’t want to spend half an hour with the lovely people we work with inside a cell.” NJ State PBA President Pat Colligan and Executive Vice Presi- dent Marc Kovar agreed and shared their support for any facility that wants to schedule a visit with a policymaker. “We’re both more than happy to come with you to take the tour and let [legislators] know what you men and women are dealing with every day,” Kovar commented. “Those staffers and freeholders need to see you. We are more than happy to help you set it up.” The advocacy that the NJ State PBA offers corrections agen- cies across the state is something that McFadyen has found to be rare while working with Corrections USA. Thus, she stressed the importance of PBA members leading by example and taking advantage of their ability to have a voice. “If we don’t advocate for ourselves, no one else will,” Mc- Fadyen urged. “The fight on consolidation and bail reform — if it passes here, it will spread across the country.” McFadyen explored communication tools such as sending emails and making visits with elected officials to build relation- ships and draw attention to issues. She also stressed the impact of corrections officers having a presence at local government meetings to give updates on the needs and accomplishments of members. McFadyen reminded members to be consistent about calling assembly members to voice concerns on issues. If a legislator Corrections USA Executive Director Buffi e McFadyen discusses common is- sues that corrections offi cers face across the country and how New Jersey can make a diff erence Corrections offi cers gather to explore the best ways to communicate issues with public offi cials receives multiple calls in reference to a common problem, he or she will have to give some sort of reaction. Corrections of- ficers should also remember to be thorough when explaining the issue and never assume that a legislator has any pre-existing understanding of the details — and not forget to show some ap- preciation when a legislator takes their side. “When you have a policymaker that’s on your side, go thank them,” McFadyen advised. “Help them gain the strength to maintain their position and bring others with them.” The PBA members gathered in the audience could each iden- tify with the issues that Corrections USA hopes to minimize by encouraging corrections officers across the country to have a voice. McFadyen made sure to highlight the responsibility that corrections officers in New Jersey have to lead the way by rais- ing their voices and giving legislators an understanding of what the job is really like. “Unfortunately, having such a presence of corrections of- ficers in the PBA makes New Jersey unusual,” McFadyen de- clared. “You certainly are one of the best leaders in the country. It makes it important for New Jersey to be the voice for correc- tions officers.”  www.njcopsmagazine.com ■ OCTOBER 2018 45