The Operating Manual

THE BUILDING BLOCK PROGRAM
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE MANUAL
DANVILLE CORRECTIONAL CENTER

John Petersen, CCIII
Building Block Headmaster
Rev. 02/25/2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Building Block Program Mission Statement
The Illinois Department of Corrections Mission Statement History of The Building Block Program
Philosophy of The Building Block Program
Description of the Building Block Program
Policies of The Building Block Program

Initial Program lmplementation
1. Choosing a Site
2. Wing Preparation
3. Staffing Criteria
4. Promoting the Program
5. Admission and Acceptance Criteria for all Applicants
6. Exclusion Criteria for all Applicants
7. Admission & Acceptance Criteria for all Mentors, Facilitators & Tutors
8. Expectations of all Participants
9. Expectations of all Mentors, Facilitators & Tutors
Steps for Program Start-Up
Job Assignments
Programming
1. Building Block Basics
2. Other programming
3. Participant proposed programming.
Troubleshooting

THE BUILDING BLOCK PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT

To create an environment that fosters positive change through a series of mentor-driven programs that are founded in the core principles of respect, responsibility, ownership, community and empathy.

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS MISSION STATEMENT

To serve justice in Illinois and increase public safety by promoting positive change in offender behavior, operating successful reentry programs and reducing victimization.

; positive behaviors so as to give him/her the best chance for successful re-entry into society.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING BLOCK PROGRAM

The Building Block Program is an open-ended program available to all Offenders who meet the admission criteria.

The program is designed to encourage participants to use what they learn in order to make positive changes in their own life, while working towards becoming future mentors or facilitators. The program goals are as follows:

Offenders gain respect for themselves and others.
Teach Offenders to think for themselves and problem solve
Reduce disciplinary issues, improve test scores, reduce recidivism and becomeproductive members when re-entering society.

POLICIES OF THE BUILDING BLOCK PROGRAM

Initial Program Implementation:
Administrative Staff, Clinical Services Staff and Internal Affairs staff, met to discuss the following infrastructure items:
1. Choosing a site:
  The designated wing must be able to accommodate small groups of up to twenty (20) Offenders. The wing must also be conducive to new movement and dayroom schedules.
2. Wing Preparation:
  The Building Block wings adhere to a high standard of cleanliness. The wings are visually calming and attractive, with inspirational quotes and paintings that can be seen throughout the wing. Approved participants will need access to cleaning supplies, floor maintenance materials, paint and brushes.
3. Staffing Criteria:
  The program is assigned to a Clinical Services Counselor who oversees the screening of Mentors, Facilitators, Tutors and Participants. The Counselor has final approval over all programs being taught and handles any disciplinary issues, along with security staff. Security staff assigned to the program is critical. The Staff needs to buy into the program and not attempt to sabotage it. They need to know that this is not an Honor Dorm and strict enforcement of IDOC rules is crucial to success
4. Promoting the Program:
  The program is open to all Offenders who meet the admission criteria. Offenders will not be denied admission because of school or job assignments. To promote the program to the Offender population, fliers are hung in the housing units, school buildings and other generalareas . Applications are made available through all Clinical Services Counselors. A description of the program can be shown on the institutional TV channel.
5. Admission and Acceptance Criteria for all Applicants:
  1. Requests for participation in the Building Block Program are processed by the Clinical Services Staff.
  2. Completed applications are initially screened by Clinical Services Staff and then forwarded to Internal Affairs for final approval.
  3. Approved applicants are then scheduled in groups of twenty (20) for an interview with Clinical Services staff. All rules and regulations and all expectations of the program are reviewed and discussed.
  4. All applicants who meet the criteria and agree to sign up for the program are placed on the program wing waiting list.
  5. Once all wings reach full capacity. approved applicants will remain on the program wing waiting list. Applicants will be placed onto a program wing once space becomes available.
6. Exclusion Criteria for all Applicants:
  1. Applicants with a history of multiple ODRs and/or other disciplinary issues may be excluded if they are deemed to be a threat to productivity and/or the success of any program wing.
  2. Applicants who have received an ODR for a major assault within the last ninety days
  3. Applicants who are not willing to participate or refuse to participate in the programming and/or follow all program rules.
7. Admission and Acceptance Criteria for all Mentors, Facilitators & Tutors – All Mentors, Facilitators & Tutors MUST meet the following:
  1. Must have a high school Diploma or GED.
  2. Must be in A-grade status and maintain A-grade status.
  3. Must have completed the tutor certification or equivalent.
  4. Must have at least one (1) year until MSR.
  5. Must complete Presentation/Facilitator training, Mentor training and Building Leadership Skills.
  6. Comprehend basic concepts of cognitive behavioral therapy.
8. Expectations of all Participants:
  1. All participants are required to abide by all lDOC regulations as well as all agreed upon Building Block Program rules.
  2. All participants must attend 95% of all classes.
  3. All participants must be active in group discussions
  4. All participants must be respectful of the participants, mentors, facilitators, tutors, and staff.
  5. All participants are not to receive any major disciplinary reports while in the Building Block Program.
  6. All participants must complete all assigned ‘Nork.
  7. All participants must keep an open mind.
9. Expectations of all Mentors, Facilitators & Tutors:
  1. Must ensure accurate information is presented.
  2. Must be comfortable communicating with staff.
  3. Must be accessible to participants requesting information and respect all participants confidentiality at all times.
  4. MUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE!
Steps for Program Start Up:
1. An approved waiting list will be sent to placement to begin planning for the moves of participants.
2. Mentors are moved to their assigned wing prior to the start of the program to begin set-up of the wing.
  1. Waxing floors
  2. Cleaning the wing
  3. Begin painting
  4. Setting up schedules
3. Move participants to the Building Block wing.
4. Begin the process of scheduling participants for classes and assign them to specific mentors.
5. All classes should have an afternoon and evening choice so as to accommodate various assignments.
6. Orientation should be conducted on the first official start date.
Job Assignments:
1. The only paid job assignments on the Building Block wings are laundry porters.
2. Regular porter spots are rotated on a bi-weekly basis in order to give all participants the responsibility of cleaning the wing.
3. Floor polisher – maintains the floors
4. Painters/Artists – will help with wing design.
5. Class schedule administrator
Programming
The Building Block Program offers a variety of programs for all participants. Each participant must complete the Building Blocks Basics curriculum prior to progressing to other programs. The Building Block Basics curriculum runs for twelve (12) weeks, three (3) days/week. Effective Communication can be a stand-alone course.
1. Building Block Basics concepts:
  1. What is Change?
  2. What is Success?
  3. Defining Building Block Core Principles
  4. Respect, Responsibility, Ownership, Community and Empathy
  5. Self-Management
  6. Self-Confidence
  7. Effective Communication
  8. Engaged Listening
  9. Verbal Communication Tips
  10. Non-Verbal Communication
  11. Being Respectful in Disrespectful Situations
  12. Managing Stress in the Moment
  13. Barriers to Effective Communication
2. Other Programming:
  All classes are 45-minutes long, meet 2-3 times/week and are 8-12 weeks in duration.
  1. K.E.Y.S. (Knowing and Educating Yourself Successfully)
  2. Criminal Thinking
  3. Critical Thinking
  4. Domestic Violence Education
  5. Anger Management
  6. Financial Literacy
  7. Job Skills Preparedness
  8. Building Leadership Skills
  9. Men of Integrity
  10. Life Plan Writing
  11. Conflict Resolution
  12. Mindfulness
3. Participant Proposed Programming:
  The Building Block Program encourages participants to write up proposals for potentially beneficialprograms or workshops. The following is list of programs that have been accepted:
  1. Art workshop
  2. Book Club
  3. U.S. Geography
  4. Creative Writing
  5. Relationship Discussion Group
  6. Cell Etiquette
  7. Self-Defeating Behavior
  8. Youth Think Tank
  9. Book Publishing Workshop
  10. Spanish
  11. Veteran Think Tank
  12. Entrepreneurship
  13. Men’s Roles
  14. Your role in the Legislative Process
Troubleshooting:
The following challenges were encountered and need to be recognized:
1. Getting rid of the idea that this is an “Honor Dorm”.
2. Staff buying into the program.
3. Balance in enforcing the rules and allowing the program to run efficiently.
4. Staff finding time to monitor the program and interview perspective new mentors and participants.
5. Evidence collecting (discipline, test scores, and reintegration into society).
6. Finding mentors and facilitators.
7. Mentors and participants receiving ridicule from Offenders.
8. Finding mentors who can lead by example and who are comfortable communicating with staff.
9. Staff “buying into11 the concept of peer-led programming.
10. Mentors knowing what problems and/or issues they can handle and what situations to let staff handle.
11. Gaining the trust of staff and offenders so that the program will work.
12. Resources (office supplies, copying, books, paint and infrastructure).