Direct feedback and communication with corrections officers and other frontline professionals is essential to the overall mission of One Voice United and critical to understanding and developing effective and informed criminal justice policy.
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Through our correctional officer intelligence network, with affiliates in over 35 states, individual officers, corrections groups and others have the opportunity to directly engage on topics of importance, provide feedback, help guide policy makers and offer their professional expertise and experiences.
If you are interested in becoming a One Voice United intelligence officer, please contact Brian Dawe.
National Medal of Honor
The One Voice United National Medal of Honor brings together corrections officers, staff and civilians from across the country to recognize their heroism, courage and professionalism throughout the field of corrections.
Learn more about the Medal of Honor, how to nominate an individual and attend the ceremony, here.
Elevating our Profession
The One Voice United Elevating Our Profession (EOP) Conference is not a typical meeting or boondoggle. It’s a purpose-built gathering of frontline corrections professionals, union leaders, researchers, policy experts, and innovators designed to uplift the profession and drive meaningful change. Over the course of two and a half days, conference attendees will engage in candid conversations about policy, new technology, strategy, and leadership, with a focus on taking action (not just talking) and developing solutions they can take home. Learn more here.
Compared to the general public, studies show that corrections officers across the country face a much higher likelihood of being diagnosed with or experiencing symptoms related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
This recognition of a serious and pervasive problem amongst employees, illustrates the impact the corrections environment has on everyone involved and validates the long-held belief that more must be done to protect and improve the mental and physical health of those who work behind the walls.
Key OVU wellness programs include:
- Culture Assessment Survey
Confidential facility-wide assessments, that provide data analysis that pinpoint on-the-ground stressors in staffing, training, infrastructure, and mental-health support. - Family Wellness Program: Strengthening Staff Resilience Through Peer and Home-Based Support
A peer-mentoring network and home-focused resources designed to reinforce personal coping strategies, reduce isolation, and engage loved ones in an employee’s overall well-being. - Wellness Principles
A foundational framework that can be used to guide, drive, and evaluate employee wellness programs, the OVU Wellness Principles center on psychological safety, holistic health, peer connection, and continuous learning to ensure wellness programs are sustainable, measurable, and anchored in real-world needs.
Corrections officers must be respected for their hard work, seen as true consultants and key leaders in the criminal justice system, and understood for the pivotal role they play in executing and implementing reform efforts and programs. Â
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Additionally, officers must embrace their roles in a rapidly changing profession and begin to seek out partners who align with their positions, find common ground where possible and look for new approaches where none can be found.
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To achieve these goals, One Voice United created the Corrections Leadership Assembly, a collaborative cohort of corrections officers and frontline professionals committed to:
- Designing strategies to deal with the universal issues affecting everyone behind the walls.Â
- Fostering a peer-to-peer learning network that develops and shares best practices on a state, local, and national level.Â
- Creating a forum for officers and other experts to discuss policy initiatives and solutions.
- Helping staff see the stake they can have in a reform movement that meets their needs and interests.
- Bringing proven and innovative leadership training to corrections staff across the country and abroad.
Contact us to learn more.
Apart from those incarcerated, corrections officers and professional staff spend more time inside correctional facilities than anyone else. They play a critical role in safety, security, and rehabilitation, and continue to serve an important function in supervision after release through parole and probation. They understand what works, what does not, and what is at stake every day.
Yet their voices are often missing when policies are written and reforms or new laws are proposed.
At One Voice United, we work to change that.
We create opportunities for frontline staff to engage with policymakers, agency leaders, and outside advocates so decisions are informed by real world experience and expertise. Our approach is grounded in collaboration, not conflict, and focused on solutions that improve safety, strengthen the workforce, and support meaningful, sustainable reform.
From wellness and staffing to oversight and emerging technology, we help ensure the corrections workforce is part of shaping the future of the profession.