Classroom Management Behind Bars: What Works When Nothing About the Environment Makes It Easy
Sunday Morning Coffee | Past the Edges Consulting
Let’s just name the obvious: classroom management in a correctional setting is not the same as classroom management anywhere else.
The doors lock.
The noise carries.
The schedules change without warning.
The power dynamics are baked into the walls.
And yet, educators are still expected to create calm, productive learning environments inside systems that are anything but calm or predictable.
So when someone says, “Just manage your classroom better,” most correctional educators have to resist the urge to laugh… or cry… or both.
And then, there’s the temptation to just have officers remove any student who isn’t remotely “behaving,” cancelling out the whole purpose of educational programming inside the fence.
The good news? There are things that work. Humane, practical tools that don’t require extra staff, expensive programs, bouncer-like officer assistance, or superhuman patience. They aren’t flashy. But they are effective.
First, a Reality Check
In correctional classrooms:
You don’t control who walks in (or out).
You don’t control the schedule.
You don’t control the physical space.
You don’t control the larger system.
So if your classroom management strategy depends on control, it’s going to fail.
What does work is clarity, consistency, and connection, even in small doses. Let’s look at some practical tools we can use:
Tool #1: Predictability Is Your Best Behavior Strategy
When everything outside the classroom feels unstable, predictability becomes calming. This doesn’t mean rigidity. It means:
starting class the same way every day
posting (or stating) a simple agenda
using consistent procedures for entry, materials, and transitions
Even something as small as: “We always start with five minutes of quiet work, then review, then new material.” That routine does real work on the nervous system. Do-Now's are another great routine strategy. Predictability reduces anxiety. Reduced anxiety reduces acting out. That’s not permissive. That’s smart.
Tool #2: Fewer Rules, Clearer Expectations
Correctional environments are already rule-heavy. Classrooms don’t need to add to the overload. Three to five clear, positively stated expectations beat a long list every time.
For example:
Be respectful (to yourself, others, and the space)
Be engaged
Be accountable
Then, (and this part matters) teach what those look like in this classroom, in this setting. Assume nothing is obvious. Clarity prevents conflict.
Tool #3: Tone Is Classroom Management
This one is uncomfortable for some people, but it’s true: Your tone often matters more than your words.
A calm, steady voice:
de-escalates situations
models regulation
communicates authority without force
A sharp, sarcastic, or reactive tone escalates things fast, especially in environments where people are already on edge. This doesn’t mean being soft. It means being regulated. If you want regulated behavior, you have to model it first.
Tool #4: Correct Quietly, Praise Publicly
In correctional settings, public correction can quickly turn into public humiliation, and humiliation breeds resistance.
When possible:
redirect quietly
pull a student aside
use neutral language
On the flip side, notice and name positive behavior out loud:
“I appreciate how quickly this group got started.”
“Thank you for staying focused even with the noise today.”
Positive reinforcement doesn’t undermine authority. It builds buy-in.
Tool #5: Build in Movement and Choice (Even a Little)
Long periods of sitting, listening, and waiting are hard for any brain, especially brains shaped by trauma or chronic stress. You don’t need a yoga studio or fancy materials. Try:
brief stretch breaks
rotating roles (timekeeper, materials manager)
choice between two tasks or formats
Choice restores a sense of agency in a place where agency is scarce, and agency reduces power struggles.
Tool #6: Don’t Take the Bait
Some behaviors are about learning. Some are about stress. Some are about survival. Not everything needs a response. One of the most powerful classroom management tools is knowing when not to engage:
ignoring minor disruptions
redirecting without commentary
staying focused on instruction
Calm consistency beats confrontation every time.
Tool #7: Relationship Is Not a Soft Skill — It’s a Strategy
This is the part that gets eye-rolls…until people try it. Students behave better for educators who:
know their names
treat them with dignity
are fair and consistent
don’t embarrass them
You don’t need to share personal details or blur boundaries. You just need to be human. Relationship is not the opposite of structure. It’s what makes structure work.
A Note for Leaders
If classroom management is a constant struggle, it’s rarely just a “teacher problem.”
Ask:
Are expectations consistent across staff?
Are educators trained in trauma-informed practices?
Are schedules and policies communicated clearly?
Are teachers supported when things go sideways?
Are you minimizing how many times a teacher gets interrupted during class?
Are you sending the message that education is important and a priority?
Systems create behavior, for staff and students alike.
☕ Final Sip
Classroom management behind bars will never be easy, but it can be effective, and it can be humane. When educators focus on predictability, clarity, tone, and connection, classrooms become places of learning, even inside institutions built for control.
That work matters, and the educators doing it deserve better tools, better support, and a whole lot more credit.
If you want to chat about any of this or have a tool that you use that’s effective, contact me!
I took a couple of weeks off, you may have noticed, for the holiday, then my birthday, and getting back in the groove of things with you for a Sunday Morning Coffee is just the ticket to kick off a great week. I hope yours is happy, peaceful, and productive.
Cheers!
