
In criminal justice settings like parole, probation, and community corrections, employees have an ethical and sometimes legal duty to intervene when a colleague is about to make a mistake or engage in misconduct. By stepping in proactively, they can protect their coworkers’ lives and careers and uphold their organization’s integrity. This responsibility extends beyond immediate actions. Being an active bystander elevates the outcomes for all parties: those working in criminal justice, their clients, supervised persons, their families, communities, and public trust in the justice system.

Wellness in Criminal Justice
Professionals in community corrections and other criminal justice roles face significant stressors impacting performance and personal well-being. These stressors may include managing high caseloads of supervised persons, addressing noncompliance, or responding to critical incidents. The risks of mistakes, misconduct, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and burnout increase without proactive wellness support.
The Heroes program leverages the power of social psychology to build on existing wellness initiatives and introduce proactive strategies. By empowering employees through active bystandership, organizations can foster a culture of mutual care and support, helping employees recognize and address stressors before they lead to serious consequences.

Employee Safety and Integrity
The safety and integrity of officers, case workers, agents, and all working in community corrections depend on a shared commitment to accountability and intervention. Employees face various risks, including exposure to trauma, risks to personal safety, and increasing caseloads with higher needs. In settings where active bystandership is not practiced, these risks are heightened, potentially leading to preventable tragedies.
For example, a probation officer meeting with a high-risk individual might rely on the intervention of a colleague to notice early warning signs of escalating behavior. Similarly, parole officer conducting home visits may depend on their peers for the physical safety of all involved. By providing training in active bystandership, Heroes equips employees with the skills to recognize and act on red flags before they escalate.
Supervised Persons and Community Safety
Community corrections professionals are essential to the criminal justice system, fostering growth and success for themselves and the individuals they serve. Their mission extends beyond ensuring compliance with supervision conditions to empowering supervised persons to complete their terms successfully and transition toward a stable, constructive role in their communities. By embracing active bystandership, these professionals elevate the entire process—enhancing fairness, reducing errors, and preventing misconduct—while creating a culture that supports positive outcomes for all involved.

A Call to Action
The Heroes program has a proven track record of success in correctional settings and is now adapted to meet the unique needs of criminal justice professionals. Through training, implementation support, and a commitment to wellness and safety, Heroes empowers teams to cultivate a culture of active bystandership—improving outcomes for employees, supervised persons, and communities alike.