Best Correctional Facilities to Work In
The Best Correctional Facilities to Work In certification is the only independent and anonymous survey program that highlights facilities demonstrating excellence in staff culture, safety, and retention.
Best Correctional Facilities to Work In Certification is designed to:
Celebrate staff voices by recognizing facilities where employees feel safe, respected, and engaged.
Encourage improvement by giving administrators actionable feedback to strengthen culture and retention.
Promote transparency through a clear, consistent, and independent scoring process.
By applying consistent methodology, we ensure that this certification is meaningful, credible, and a true reflection of staff experience.
How the Survey Works:
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All eligible staff are invited to complete the Jail Staff Culture & Engagement Survey via email, administered by Spark Training as an independent third party. Responses are confidential and anonymous; results are reported only in aggregate.
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Survey questions are grouped into five key areas of staff experience. Each domain is equally weighted in the final score:
Workplace Safety & Environment – 20%
Leadership & Communication – 20%
Teamwork & Morale – 20%
Fairness & Development – 20%
Engagement & Retention – 20%
Open-ended questions are also included to provide qualitative insights, though they are not scored.
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A minimum number of responses are required. Scores are calculated from using a 5-point Likert scale, then averaged by category. Final results reflect the average staff perception across all domains. Each facility receives a weighted composite score on a 100-point scale.
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Facilities achieving an overall score of 85 or higher (out of 100) earn the Best Correctional Facility to Work In certification for the recognition year. Recognition is valid for 12 months. Facilities may participate annually to maintain or improve their standing. All participants will receive a confidential report with insights into strengths and opportunities for improvement, regardless of recognition status.
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Survey pricing is tiered based on facility employee count.
Up to 100 staff members: $5,000
101-300 staff members: $10,000
300 or more staff members: $20,000
Payment is non-refundable.
Certification Badge & Recognition
Facilities That Earn the certification receive:
The official Best Correctional Facility to Work In digital badge for use on websites, job postings, social media, and press releases.
Inclusion in Spark Training’s public recognition announcements.
A custom facility report.