The Case of the Under Cooked Chicken

Abstract
Prisons house thousands of prisoner; these inmates are to be clothed, feed and housed; but not feed under cooked food. The warden and assistant wardens are faced with a problem that could escalate out of control if it is not resolved. There is some information about the warden and the responsibilities the assistants are entrusted with. It explains what the leadership style means and defines the chosen style the team picked. Solutions are discussed and how the warden and assistants reached the end conclusion.

The Case of the Under Cooked Chicken The correctional officers reported to the warden and the assistant wardens about the problems the inmates have in regards to chicken and other foods that are served to them. The inmate’s complaints stem from under cooked chicken; the food is bland and there are inmates who have dietary restrictions. It was also brought to the attention of the warden and the assistants that the kitchen staff is not co-operating with the issues at hand. Before these issues escalate into a full-blown problem; the warden and the assistants need to arrive at some solutions to prevent any riots or sit-ins.
Background
The leader (warden) and the team (assistants) are in charge of a medium to large close-security prison; they are responsible for maintaining the functions of the prison’s environment. Before proceeding to the democratic style meaning; it is important to first find out why this particular style was chosen. As mentioned previous; this warden is responsible for supervising the operations of the prison; managing the public funds and also in the supervision of the institution; which houses thousands of people; to ensure all those that have needs are met (Echie, 2013). The approach of the warden’s prison style can depend on how the person was appointed and the background from which they were trained. For instance; trained as correctional officers and also administrators or started out as officers and worked into the position of administration (Echie, 2013). Then there are wardens that obtain the position because the person has experience in both management and administration. The assistant wardens have to ensure that the operations are run by the procedures of this particular institution. Since the warden and assistant warden’s work together as a team; the assistant(s) will assume the responsibility for the operation, regulations and control of the institution when the warden is absent; and will report any necessary situations to the County Administrator (Assistant Warden, 2013). Subordinates are allowed to contribute to the decision-making process; they are able to carry out many functions without having to get permission first. For instance; assistants can supervise and monitor the classification of prisoners without someone else standing over them (Assistant Warden, 2013). The assistant coordinates with Courts, Sheriff’s, other law enforcement or judicial agencies in regards to confinement; again without supervision. There are some things that will still be carried out under the direction of the warden; hearings regarding a prisoners discipline, conduct investigations and complaints; plus they confer with the warden on any operational improvements (Assistant Warden, n.d.). An assistant maintains all the inmate records and accounts as required and/or considered necessary by the warden; plus any other duties the warden assigns to the assistant(s). So when people work together as a team in solving issues set before them; an organization can run proficiently.
The Leadership Style First, it is important to understand the “leadership style” term; it refers to the leader’s manner of performance in any situation; one’s personality; therefore; the style of leadership deals with the manner in which the person carries out their leadership functions and/or roles (Brennen, 2013). It also refers to the use of power, authority and what approach he/she uses in the decision-making process. Whatever leadership style is implemented; it will be the one that an individual feels most comfortable using. In other words; the style is determined by the person’s personality, morals and how comfortable the individual is in allowing assistants to participate in the decision-making process (Brennen, 2013). With this in mind; the warden and assistant wardens made their decision as a team in choosing which style would work in a prison setting.
The Democratic Style In the democratic style; is one where members of a team; take a more participative role in the decision-making process. This leadership style is usually the most effective one as it leads to higher productivity, contributions from the team players are more forth coming and it increases the team’s morale; as researcher have found (Leadership Styles, 2008). The subordinates have a greater voice and more influence in what goes on in the overall leadership of the prison. This style also allows assistant wardens to have minimal supervision because the individuals take the responsibilities given to them seriously (Brennen, 2013). After reviewing the styles of leadership; choosing the one suited for the decision-making process of the issue at hand at the prison; the warden and assistants are ready to expand on their findings. Before doing so; the team would like to reiterate on the issue before the them. Inmates are reporting to the correctional officers that the chicken is under cooked; the food is bland and those who have dietary restrictions are having continuous problems with the staff in the kitchen. These are the solutions in the case of the under cooked chicken.
Solutions to the Under Cooked Chicken Issues The assistants and correctional officers spoke to the prisoners about the issues of the chicken; the bland food and the dietary restrictions. After compiling the list of food allergies and/or other dietary issues that the inmates have; the assistant followed up with the kitchen staff to get the staff’s input on the issues. The guards and assistants spent time in the kitchen watching how the food was prepared and what seasonings were being used and wrote down what they found and brought it back to the table for discussion. The ovens and stoves should be rechecked in case there is a problem with the thermostats and if so; get it repaired as soon as possible. Under cooked chicken is a big problem though; as it can cause all kinds of health issues and this should be looked at by how it is prepared and if the kitchen staff is attending to it correctly. It is also imperative that the staff follow the dietary restrictions as it is better to prepare a different meal; than to rush an inmate to the emergency ward because of a reaction the prisoner had from food allergies. A thermometer should be used at all times for poultry, meat and other foods that need to reach the safe internal temperature (“Dangerous Food”, 2013). Supply the kitchen staff with a Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures Chart. Inform the inmates that as long as the chicken reaches the internal temperature of 165 degrees; it is safe to eat. The USDA affirms; color does not indicate doneness because if all the parts of the chicken reach the desired temperature it is all right to consume it (“Dangerous Food”, 2013). The assistants and warden should educate the inmates of this issue by explaining further that fully cooked chicken can show a pinkish color in the meat and juices; especially if was frozen. A solution to the problems of inmates with special dietary needs would be to try serving healthy diet meals to all the prisoners. Food substitutes can be provided for those prisoners that have dietary restrictions (“Prisoner Diet”, 2007). The best solution is to hire a dietician that could handle all the situations in regards to those prisoners that have health conditions with food allergies and dietary restrictions. The dietician would also know what seasonings to use in each circumstance; to change the bland food into something that would satisfy everyone. The institution might consider consulting with the dietician in respect to teaching certain inmates in the preparation of food in those two categories and have the inmates themselves fix the meals for the other inmates. Those inmates could then train others and keep alternating; this way every inmate will know the importance of preparing meals for all types of conditions; whether it is food allergies or dietary restrictions and to insure that poultry fish and meat are not under cooked.
Conclusion
Prisons are for punishment; but inmates should have the right to have food that is cooked and not bland; have food that meets those with food allergies and those with dietary restrictions. The warden and assistants went over the issues and have discussed their findings at great lengths to arrive at a suitable solution. After a lot of deliberation a solution was made unanimously; this is the democratic style.

References
Assistant warden. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.somersetmd.us/employment/AssistWardDesc.pdf
Brennen, A. (2013). Leadership styles. Retrieved from http://www.soencouragement.org/leader- ship-styles.htm
Dangerous food safety mistakes. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/ basics/mistakes/
Echie, K. (2013). The duties and responsibilities of the prison warden in the criminal justice System. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Duties-and-Responsibilities-of- the-Prison-Warden-in-the-Criminal-Justice-System&id=6478386
Leadership styles: Democratic leadership style. (2008). Retrieved from http:www.leadership- toolbox.com/democratic-leadership-style.html
Prisoner diet legal issues. (2007). Jail & prisoner law section. AELE Monthy Law Journal. Retrieved from www.aele.org/law/2007-07MLJ302.html