>Users:   login   |  register       > email     > people    


You Can't Say That in a Classroom
By Joe Bouchard
Published: 03/26/2018

No profanity The following is an installment in "Icebreakers 101 - Volume IX: UNDAMMING THE ICE", a series featuring "Ice Breaker's" designed to promote training awareness and capabilities in the corrections industry.

Chances are you will hear swearing every single day while you work in corrections. To most, it is not unusual. In fact, it is as normal part of the job as a burn is to a fry cook. But profanity can polarize staff and cause bigger problems than initially suspected.

Is it realistic to think that profanity will disappear from our worksites? That will never happen. But, we can control what comes out of our mouths. It is a simple matter of modifying habits and thinking before speaking.

Whatever your stance on ‘swear words’, it remains that corrections professionals are under intense scrutiny. And profanity can lead to time consuming endeavors. Sometimes investigations are launched over words that are construed as demeaning or of a sexual tone. What starts as a joke or a different sort of expression can become harassment.

This is not just a corrections phenomenon. Comedian George Carlin shocked the world in 1972. There were, in his estimation, seven words that you could never say on television. From that monologue, Carlin expanded it to 300 plus words over a decade later. With the rise of cable television, changing of standards, and pushing of envelopes, things changed.

Not too long before the writing of this icebreaker, a colleague and I were discussing a topic that (to the untrained professional) sounded less-than-professional. In fact, it was a mental exercise. We were trying to compile an a – z list of expletives. Oddly, one really must think hard to find twenty-six swear words (one for each letter). The project was placed on hold until we can fill in the last few elusive profanities.

This prompted the idea that this compilation is an example of an icebreaker one can never say in class. No matter how funny, engaging, or even how instructive that could be, “The Expletive ABC’s” is forbidden in an agency for which we worked. It is not that there is not foul language in our worksites. However, work rules and professionalism officially preclude use of those words by employees. Granted, there is the real and the ideal.

But we know when we have to employ the latter and when the former may be acceptable.

Still, we can assess how we train corrections staff and criminal justice students by employing a few questions. List these on the board or on a projected word document to keep the ideas flowing.

  1. What are some topic that we cannot officially talk about as corrections professionals while on the job?
  2. Is the training room exempt from these rules?
  3. Make a list of training topics you can never experience in an agency such as this. DO NOT develop the training. Rather, just list the topic. Here are a few examples:
    1. Sexual positions – a poll
    2. Drinking 101 with actual alcohol on hand
    3. Cigarette, drugs, and pills – a hands on sampler
    4. Mean things to call convicts
  4. Why are these things forbidden topics? Will discussion of the topics potentially harm the agency?
This is a great segue into modules that cover employee rules, discriminatory harassment and humane treatment of offenders.

So, give this icebreaker a whirl. You may even learn a bit about yourself and the participants. In fact, you might even have a (expletive deleted) time!

Joe Bouchard is a Librarian employed with the Michigan Department of Corrections and a collaborator with The International Association of Correctional Training Personnel (IACTP). He is also the author of “IACTP’s Corrections Icebreakers: The Bouchard 101, 2014” and "Operation Icebreakers: Shooting for Excellence" among others. The installments in this series include his opinions. The agency for which he works is not in any way responsible for the content or accuracy of this material, and the views are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of the agency. While some material is influenced by other works, all of the icebreakers have been developed by Joe Bouchard.

Visit the Joe Bouchard page

Other articles by Bouchard:


Comments:

  1. hamiltonlindley on 04/13/2020:

    How have your spirits been while under quarantine for COVID-19? We are hopefully halfway through this pandemic’s impact on our economy. It has been a difficult road for us all. It has taught us about our better-and worse-natures. Hamilton P Lindley explains how it has impacted his family and work life balance in this latest blog article about how to invest time that we’ve been given to make ourselves better than when we began.

  2. darrendemers12 on 04/03/2020:

    This is not just a corrections phenomenon. Comedian George Carlin shocked the world in 1972. There were, in his estimation, seven words that you could never say on television. From that monologue, Carlin expanded it to 300 plus words over a decade later. With the rise of cable television, changing of standards, and pushing of envelopes, things changed. vintage cross necklace , handmade ladies shoes , cute anklets , embroidery on leather bags , men's embroidered leather belts , jeans with belts , boots with attached belt , mens leather bracelet

  3. hamiltonlindley on 03/31/2020:

    Waco has developed a reputation for a rocket-docket in patent litigation. It’s an important choice to find the right lawyer in Waco for your important patent litigation matter. When people in the know make the hire, they hire Dunnam & Dunnam. If you are looking for a top rated personal injury lawyer , then Dunnam & Dunnam is the right choice. For nearly 100 years, people in Waco have hired the firm when the results matter at Dunnam & Dunnam are among the most respected in the Central Texas area. They have the experience in trials and mediations to guide your case in the right way. There are few important decisions at the outset of the case that can turn the tide in your favor. Choosing the right lawyer is one of them.

  4. Adan Schimmel on 12/12/2019:

    students of Sylhet board were in search of the results. In the previous articles, we have discussed about other education board PSC results. Now, we are here to give you all the updates on PSC Result 2019 Sylhet Board. Check your PSC grades as soon as result is released by the DPE in the month of December. If you want to know the exact PSC result date, you must continue reading this post.

  5. samharries on 12/06/2019:

    Most of the increased on your web page even though residing status simply just a lot of tid amount submits. Profitable technique for forthcoming, I'll be book-marking before you start discover supplements result spgs all the way up " up ". 우리카지노

  6. samharries on 12/03/2019:

    Our services are available in all cities of Minneapolis and its surroundings. We are having years of experience which enabled our customers and clients to trust our services. marina one residences price

  7. samharries on 11/23/2019:

    A simple bookmarking tool that makes it easy to save, organize and share your favorite web pages. Access your bookmarks from any computer, phone or tablet. Listango works on all modern web browsers… voyance par telephone pas cher

  8. samharries on 11/18/2019:

    Very interesting blog. A lot of blogs I see these days don't really provide anything that I'm interested in, but I'm most definitely interested in this one. Just thought that I would post and let you know midwood condo price

  9. samharries on 11/15/2019:

    I am all that much happy with the substance you have indicated. I expected to thank you for this phenomenal article. sofa covers Dubai

  10. samharries on 11/09/2019:

    Its an incredible joy perusing your post.Its brimming with data I am searching for and I want to post a remark that "The substance of your post is marvelous" Great work. essay writing company

  11. samharries on 11/08/2019:

    I think this is certainly a stunning task here. So much positive attitude be originating from this venture. The thoughts and the work behind this will satisfy to such an extent. Medical Marketing

  12. samharries on 11/04/2019:

    I definitely enjoying every little bit of it. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work. I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure this would be beneficial for most of the people. Attraction Tickets Direct Gutschein

  13. batia dilwar on 09/27/2019:

    The Carol "We Wish You a Merry Christmas [and a Happy New Year]" is another old tune from the 'West Country' (South West England) however was just previously distributed in 1935 and this most likely affirmed the utilization of 'Joyful Christmas' over 'Glad Christmas'. Merry Christmas clipart Free Christmas Images

  14. Mikolland on 09/02/2019:

    You can't state that in a study hall, What you can't state in the class these things were notice in the given page. I demonstrate to you the ninjaessays which is educating you regarding these things which you just not do in the class. Expectation you like this entire from which you like the given page which demonstrate to you the principles to sit in the class.

  15. Jacob on 07/31/2019:

    Very very excited to play Hearts card game therefor following this famous platform hearts card game online free because i know at this Multiplayer Junction players are playing without downloading.


Login to let us know what you think

User Name:   

Password:       


Forgot password?





correctsource logo




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of The Corrections Connection User Agreement
The Corrections Connection ©. Copyright 1996 - 2024 © . All Rights Reserved | 15 Mill Wharf Plaza Scituate Mass. 02066 (617) 471 4445 Fax: (617) 608 9015