How Leadership Training Can Help Female Administrators Working in Probation, Parole and Corrections

SESSION INFO

Tuesday, February 27, 2024
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Session Type: Workshop

Women are increasingly taking on leadership positions in the field of corrections, which has traditionally been male-dominated. According to a report by the National Institute of Corrections, women make up about 27% of the correctional workforce in the United States but only about 13% of management positions. We are face with many stressors (gender discrimination, Sexual harassment, safety concerns, work-life balance and emotional toll. This workshop you will learn different ways to manage stress and understand how to cope with the barriers. This workshop will discuss our self-care routine, understanding about a support system, how to manage your workload, creating boundaries and finding the meaning in your work. This workshop will cover the barriers and stresses faced working in leadership in probation, parole and corrections. Women working in corrections face a unique set of challengers that can cause stress and impact their physical and mental health. It is imperative to address these issues and provide support to help maintain a healthy work-life balance.

SESSION PRESENTERS

Melody Smith
Probation Officer, Cook County Adult Probation Department


Melody Smith earned her M.A in Counseling from Roosevelt University. Melody is a Supervisor with the Cook Adult Probation Department who believes that women in leadership should strive for greatness. Melody has worked in corrections since 2003 at the Cook County Sheriff’s department as a teacher and counselor. She has her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Roosevelt University Chicago. She started as an officer in 2015 in the Cook County Adult Probation department in Home Confinement and been a Supervisor since 2022. Her vast knowledge in the jail, probation and counseling techniques has allowed her to speak highly of leadership in corrections.