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Aimee Califano, Ph.D. is a 2024 graduate of the PHD Program in Leadership and Change at Antioch University.

Aimee Califano at her Dissertation Defense.

From L-R: Dr. Harriet Schwartz, Committee Chair, Dr. Aqeel Tirmizi, Committee Member, Dr. Timothy Eklin, Committee Member

Dissertation Committee

  • Harriet Schwartz, PhD, Committee Chair
  • Aqeel Tirmizi, PhD, Committee Member
  • Timothy Eklin, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

Critical incident technique, Correctional officer, Jail, Prison, Guard, Corrections, Justice, Humanizing, Humanistic, Human being, Inmate, Incarcerated person, Incarcerated individual, Offender, Leadership, Relational cultural theory, Criminal justice, Qualitative research, Power, Dynamic security, Norwegian, Idaho, Scandinavia, Normality

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

The correctional officer (CO) has one of the most critical roles in the correctional setting and is one of the least studied topics amongst criminal justice professionals (Butler et al., 2018). In the United States, a CO’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of an incarcerated individual and the staff that work in the prison setting (Cheek, 1984). Paradoxically, in the United States, the CO works in an organizational system based on deprivation and punishment toward incarcerated people. The United States Prison system’s current structure does not support rehabilitation efforts of incarcerated people and ultimately impacts any attempts at a successful re-entry into the community (Ahalt et al., 2019). Furthermore, this punitive-oriented organizational structure has acute and deleterious effects on the mental and physical health of the CO. This study used critical incident technique to examine humanizing interactions between corrections officers and incarcerated people, from the perspective of the COs. Participants were asked to identify moments where they felt an incarcerated person (IP) saw their (the COs) humanity, they saw an IPs humanity, and suggestions regarding how corrections leaders could further support a humanizing approach. Findings included three overarching themes which describe the essence of these humanizing interactions: Being Emotionally Available, Responding with Active Support, and Interacting with Intention. Exploration of these critical incidents also revealed that COs experienced a range of positive outcomes from taking a humanizing approach. The goal of the study was to gain insight to the humanizing practices of COs in the United States from the officers’ perspectives, which is largely underrepresented. This dissertation concludes with recommendations for COs and corrections leaders to further support and develop humanistic approaches to corrections culture and practice. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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Aimee Califano

ORCID: #0009-0006-2282-2007

Aimee Califano was born in bustling Brooklyn, New York, and eventually planted herself in a tiny mountainous town in rural Vermont. She studied psychology and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Vermont State University. Feeling at home at Vermont State University, she remained there to earn her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Her first introduction to the criminal justice system as a volunteer member of a Reparative Board and the Circle of Support and Accountability (COSA) sparked her interest. This spark quickly ignited a flame; following, she became a group clinician at a Probation and Parole Office, worked as a Program Director for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program at a Women’s correctional facility, and worked as a Clinical Lead at a Men’s correctional facility.

Aimee holds Vermont State credentials as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). She is the Program Services Chief Clinical Specialist for the Vermont Department of Corrections. As a clinician and leader, she is passionate about criminal justice reform. She believes integrating more humanizing practices will cultivate safer prisons and communities for everyone, whether inside or outside prison walls.

Aimee is blessed with two empathic sons, Graidy and Alexander, and a brilliant daughter, Sophie, whom she unconditionally loves and adores. She lives in a small farmhouse on a dirt road in rural Southern Vermont.

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