Pros
The values and beliefs of this organization are awe inspiring. They truly make you feel as though you can make a difference in people's lives, be them students or inmates. I had the pleasure of working at Gadsden Correctional Facility, where we were embarking on a mission to become a more gender responsive facility which not only allowed us to be more B.I.O.N.I.C, but it provided us an opportunity to be trailblazers in the field of women's corrections. My first two years with the company were amazing. In a time when companies were being forced to be reactive, this organization was being proactive in a major way. Well as the old saying goes, "All good things must come to an end". Around September 2013 there was a change in leadership and the environment drastically changed. Where there used to be high expectations for success, hope and inspiration for all, and a genuine sense of appreciation and worth there was now shallow, self-centered, and quasi-pointless goals. The feeling of hope and accomplishment was gone and this was felt throughout the facility; from the management team to the inmates and all in between. What I used to admire about the organization was its values and its pro-activeness, but what I ended up with was a feeling like they were just like the rest. They too were an organization who failed to recognize their mistakes until it was too late, an organization who allowed people to stay in positions well beyond their usefulness, and one who was plagued by a lack of due diligence.
I had high hopes for my time spent at this facility, but my expectations were overwhelmingly disappointed. This was by far one of the best and worst work experiences of my entire career.
Cons
Lack of accountability
Focus on the show and not the details
Extreme disconnect from the corporate office and facilities
Lack of effective training in management positions
Lack of ownership for mistakes in upper management
Little recourse for wrongdoing by upper management