MCA Monthly Workshop:
Cultural Diversity
August 13, 2025
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Via Zoom
Sponsor Spotlight:
R.A.I.N. of North America
This workshop is also eligible for Board of Social Work CEU's
Sponsor Spotlight
R.A.I.N. of North America
Since 2008, RAIN has provided holistic reentry housing options throughout the upper Midwest, while assisting with creating networks of welcoming churches, employers, and landlords, as well as home ownership options.
Presented by: John Henderson
John is the founder of RAIN … a faith based aftercare network with 478 beds in MN. His vision is to see adult men and women be set free through the application of Biblical principles as they cross over to become valued members of our communities.
Workshop
Cultural Diversity
The goal of this workshop is to identify ways that corrections staff can interact with offenders and staff from different races and ethnic groups in positive ways, without bigotry and racial stereotyping.
Objectives:
- Gain insight as to the many cultures & minorities represented in offender populations.
- Learn effective ways to manage offenders of varying cultures & minorities, to have a ‘smooth shift.’
- Identify how to avoid negative behavior by staff towards both offenders and staff.
Workshop Description: Like the community population, the offender population is a ‘melting pot’ of different ethnic groups and minorities. It is important that the corrections staff respect this diversity and conduct themselves professionally. Bigotry and racial stereotyping have no place in corrections. This class will discuss cultural diversity among offenders, how staff can have a good relationship with these offenders, avoid bigotry, and earn the offenders’ respect. Reducing racial tension, avoiding racial profiling and de-escalating tensions with both offenders and staff will be discussed.
Presented by: 1st Lt. Gary F. Cornelius
1st Lt. Gary F. Cornelius, Ret., Fairfax County, VA Office of the Sheriff, corrections trainer, author & consultant. Lt. Cornelius presents jail in-service training in Virginia and has written several books about corrections: The High-Performance Correctional Facility: Lessons on Correctional Work, Leadership and Effectiveness (2022), Stressed Out: Strategies for Living and Working in Corrections, Third Edition (2024), The Correctional Officer: A Practical Guide, Third Edition (2017) & The Art of the Con: Avoiding Offender Manipulation, Second Edition, (2009). He develops training materials and webinars for Justice Clearinghouse and Lexipol and writes a column for the National Sheriffs’ Association.
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*If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail immediately after you register, please contact the MCA office.
Call/text 651-515-3254
or e-mail mca-mn@hotmail.com
Register for This Workshop Today!
Registration will close at 4:00 p.m.2 days before event
