NAAWS Conference Shares Focus on Sustainability

We just returned from another very successful conference of the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents (NAAWS).  This year's conference was another great success hosted by the Ohio Warden and Superintendents Association (OWASA).  With over 200 institution CEO's and 30+ exhibitors participating, it was the perfect venue for learning about new products and networking.

GreenPrisons friends Solar America Solutions, Strayer Lighting and Energy Systems Group were just a few of the exhibitors focused on sustainability. Their presence at this very important conference really continued the sustainability momentum and gave wardens and superintendents the chance to learn the latest in each of these new areas of technology.

This would be a great time to suggest a topic for the next GreenPrisons webinar or to purchase an ad with a link to your latest promotion.  Contact tommy @GreenPrisons.org for more information.

The following article is provided by guest blogger Bill Sturgeon.  A correctional practitioner with decades of experience, Bill's primary focus has traditionally been security.  In today's blog he shares his observations of our recent Sustainability Symposium

Sustainability and Greening Correctional Facilities  

By

Wm. Bill Sturgeon

 This past Fall I attended the 2^nd Annual “Sustainability and Greening Symposium” in Indianapolis, Indiana.  I found the Symposium to be a marvelous experience. For the first time in many years, I felt as though I was with a group of professionals who were truly working to identify more efficient ways to operate correctional facilities in the twenty-first century.

 
Without question, correctional facilities are an enormous drain on any community’s resources, from electricity to sewerage processing. The time has come for corrections to develop more efficient methods to operate its institutions.

At this Symposium there were the obvious areas that affect every correctional institution:

1.      Lighting

2.      Water

3.      Sewerage

4.      Trash

5.      Fuel for heating

6.   Reassignment of staff

 Yet, there were others present who looked at more efficient ways of serving meals on recyclable trays, there-by cutting back on the dishwashers’ use of clean water, soap and wastewater treatment. Also featured were cleaning materials that did not have any harsh chemicals in them, yet were as effective as their predecessors. As an “old” security guy, I found these new cleaning compounds very interesting, because they have eliminated dangerous chemicals from the secure perimeter.

Of course, for all of these new “Sustainability and Greening” initiatives, there will have to be cost analyses done to ascertain what type savings there will be. As I was thinking about writing this article, I wanted to stress the idea that “Sustainability and Greening” are not restricted to just “hard” evidence that is easily gathered. Rather, “Sustainability and Greening” is a “way of life”.  

I believe that correctional institutions who are pursuing the “Sustainability and Greening” initiative should look at them holistically rather than specifically. While it is true that by installing new perimeter lights an institution could save a significant amount of money, an institution could also save money by recycling materials, using water saving shower heads, and using recyclable trays for two of three meals per day.

 As I stated above, “Sustainability and Greening” is a “way of life”. Getting the staff, at every level, involved in the process will help the process move along more expeditiously and the staff can come up with great suggestions.

As a security guy, I have come to the realization that not all “Sustainability and Greening” initiatives are appropriate for every security level. This said, security should not be used as an excuse for not moving forward with “Sustainability and Greening” efforts. The criminal justice community has to find more efficient ways of conducting day-to-day operations.

GreenPrisons is at the Sustainable Prisons Project

GreenPrisons has had the opportunity to participate in the second national gathering of the Sustainable Prison Project (SPP). SPP, funded in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF, is part of a national movement to bring science into correctional facilities. The project focuses on all areas of sustainability but particularly those that promote the recovery of endangered species. From butterflies to spotted frogs this project has provided offender jobs, education and benefitted the larger communities. Check out their website for more information.

Greetings From ACA

ACA kicks off its 142nd Congress of Corrections today in Mile High Denver CO. There is lots of buzz about sustainability and about GreenPrisons. Our first official activity is this afternoon at 1:30 when the Clean and Green committee convenes. If you're at the conference be sure to come by room 301 of the Convention Center. We've already met a number of folks new to corrections eager to learn more about what correctional agencies are doing to promote sustainability. They will have ample opportunity during more than six workshops examining the topic from any number of angles. Yesterday Superintendent Keith Butts of the Pendleton Correctional Facility in IN and I visited the headquarters of Community Power Corporation to learn more about their garbage gasification project. Currently they have a version designed to meet the Department of Defense's commissary needs to dispose of food and cellulose waste in areas with high tipping fees and/or high utilities cost. They will be doing a feasibility study to determine its applicability in corrections. You will learn the results of that study here on GreenPrisons.org and at our Symposium in October in Indianapolis. More tomorrow from the exhibit floor at ACA

Water Webinar Scheduled for Wednesday

Join GreenPrisons on Wednesday, June 11 at 11 AM EST for our free webinar on Effective Water Management in the Correctional Setting. Learn more about controlling water flow, waterless urinals, and rainwater management for some of America's foremost. Register at www.GreenPrisons.org

ACA Hosts SIX Sustainability Workshops at this Year's Summer Congress

ACA is going"Green" at this summer's Congress with SIX workshops on sustainability topics. From a facilitated workshop on sustainable projects around the country to saving $1000 per inmate these are sessions you won't want to miss. Don't forget to come to the conference in time to attend the "Clean and Green" committee at the Convention Center on Saturday at 1:30. Check the program for the room number. We will be making new proposals for the committee to submit to President Epps when his term begins in January. And remember vendors are always welcome to join us. Once again GreenPrisons will pair up with the North American Association of Warden's and Superintendents (NAAWS) for a place to meet and greet. Come by the NAAWS suite in the Hyatt Regency starting Saturday night to meet the largest group of senior decision makers in corrections. If you are not familiar with NAAWS you can learn more at www.corrections.com/NAAWS. If you're not a member consider joining. More next time on our growing program for the 2nd National Symposium on Sustainability in Corrections. Watch www.GreenPrisons.org for more information on the Symposium.

GreenPrisons at Ohio Wardens and Superintendents Conference

GreenPrisons was invited to present the advantages of sustainability to the Ohio Wardens and Superintendents Association (OWSA)Conference in Berlin, Ohio May 17. With over 100+ wardens and superintendents from the adult and juvenile systems from around Ohio and many of their administrators an informative discussion was held including numerous projects ongoing in the Buckeye state. In his opening remarks Director Gary Mohr talked to the group about the importance of developing new management strategies whose results can be measured. Sustainable initiatives by their nature are measureable whether in dollars saved, pounds recycled, inmates trained or electical loads reduced. As part of their training intiatives the warden's association has assigned a team of wardens to monitor the savings generated over the next six months from the sustainable efforts and report back to the Director. GreenPrisons will work with the wardens committee to make sure they are regularly informed of new products and practices. The program also included presentations by Commissioner Chris Epps of Mississippi and Warden Burl Cain of Angola.