What is one of the three general communication skills necessary for a Correctional Support Employee?

Active listening is a fundamental communication skill necessary for a Correctional Support Employee because it involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said. In a correctional environment, where communication can significantly affect relationships between staff and inmates, active listening plays a crucial role in ensuring that the concerns and needs of inmates are heard and appropriately addressed.

This skill fosters trust and rapport, which are essential in maintaining a safe and secure environment. It allows Correctional Support Employees to pick up on verbal and emotional cues, enabling them to respond effectively to the challenges that may arise in their interactions with individuals in custody. Being an effective listener can also help in conflict resolution and de-escalating potentially volatile situations, thereby contributing to a more positive atmosphere within the facility.

In contrast, while other communication skills like written communication, technical communication, and non-verbal communication are important in various contexts, they do not specifically emphasize the relational dynamics and immediate interpersonal engagement that active listening embodies.