IACTP Conference in Salt Lake City: Living your Values and Maintaining Balance in your life.
Grateful for the opportunity to present at the International Association of Correctional Training Personnel conference in Salt Lake City on September 16, 2026. The attendees made these sessions informative by sharing their thoughts and actively participating in some of the reflective questions which were part of the presentation.
The first session was Living your Values at Work. We recognized that authenticity requires honesty and self-reflection. Knowing and accepting oneself, including strengths and weaknesses, is foundational to living core values. Also that our actions must align with our values.Both individuals and organizations need to authentically practice their stated values to avoid ethical conflicts. The leadership must models values and effective leaders foster trust and motivation by embodying values like compassion and integrity. Finally, we must evaluate how life situations, including traumatic events, may influence value formation.
Life experiences and trauma shape beliefs and influence values, which may require reflection and unlearning to support growth.
The second session was living a more balanced life. We looked at unique stressors
which Correctional staff and systems professionals face such as constant trauma exposure, workplace challenges, and public scrutiny that impact their well-being. We looked at the effects of chronic stress as it manifests physically and emotionally, including anxiety, desensitization, and secondary trauma. We discussed effective coping strategies including in-the-moment techniques like breathing exercises and long-term approaches such as therapy and mindfulness. We closed by stressing the importance of systemic and personal Support. Self-compassion and organizational resources are critical to reducing stigma and promoting mental health in justice professions.
Looking forward to deepening my relationship with this organization and sharing the tools which I have learned over the course in my lifetime to increase resilience and mitigate the harm. #correctionalstress #correctionalofficerwellbeing #mindfulness #livingyourtruth
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