The Negotiating in a Corrections Environment Course (Level I/Basic) is a practical introductory course of instruction for newly assigned negotiators or negotiators having a five-years or more lapse in negotiation training. The basic course is the first in a series of three progressive courses. The basic course meets or exceeds most state and federal training requirements for crisis/hostage negotiator certification and is trained in accordance with guidelines established by the National Council of Negotiation Associations.

This course begins with a historical perspective of crisis negotiation in corrections, the basic premise of crisis negotiation, types of crisis incidents, and terminology as it relates to crisis negotiation. Students will also learn the fundamental requirements of a unified response including containment, security, and risk management.

You will learn the nation’s best practices as they relate to a team-oriented approach to crisis negotiation as well as gain a thorough understanding of duties for each member of the team.

Effective communication as a core competency will address the Behavioral Influence Stairway Model, Active Listening Skills (ALS), and the roles of rapport and influence as they relate to crisis negotiation.

You will learn how crisis negotiation progresses, from the introduction to the resolution, and specific strategies and techniques to be used along the way. We will discuss demands and deadlines, what items are negotiable and non-negotiable, when negotiation may not be the best solution and how to recognize when negotiation is progressing.

At the heart of a well-managed incident is well-managed information and intelligence. Students will learn how to gather, manage and apply crisis intelligence and information by applying a systematic approach as well as how to maintain legally sufficient incident documents.

• The History of Crisis Negotiation in Corrections
• Negotiating as a Team
• Effective Communication
• Negotiating in a Corrections Environment
• Principles of Crisis Negotiation
• Information and Intelligence Management
• Managing the Mental Health Crisis
• Anticipating and Surviving the Hostage Crisis
• Suicide Intervention in Corrections

You must be a sworn member of law enforcement or corrections, a non-law enforcement member of a crisis negotiation team, or a mental health professional or a clergy member supporting law enforcement or corrections activities to attend this class. This course is not recommended for negotiators without a corrections affiliation. Requests for exceptions must be submitted and approved by the course director.