LIVE: In the Act Train-the-Trainer Session: Teaching Correctional Staff to Recognize Criminal Thinking Errors
November 2, 2026 - November 3, 2026 | 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM Pacific
November 2, 2026 - November 3, 2026
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Pacific
7 Hours | 7 CEs
$375 Registration | $350 Early Registration (through October 25th) | Live Virtual Training via Zoom
Ashley Batastini, PhD, and Ashley Jones, PhD, present a live virtual professional training program on In the Act Train-the-Trainer Session: Teaching Correctional Staff to Recognize Criminal Thinking Errors.
This live virtual training takes place over two days from 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm PST.
This training prepares staff to effectively deliver the ITA program by building foundational knowledge, strengthening facilitation skills, and supporting successful implementation within their institutions. The first portion of the training focuses on establishing a shared understanding of the program and the training environment. Participants review the goals of ITA and discuss how the program may fit within their roles and institutional contexts. Trainers explore common challenges when working with incarcerated individuals and reflect on their role as agents of change who facilitate learning rather than simply instruct. Activities, knowledge checks, and discussion help reinforce key concepts from the ITA materials and identify questions or areas participants would like to explore in more depth.
Participants review core facilitation strategies, including how to engage trainees, manage group dynamics, handle challenging situations, and use constructive feedback to improve their training approach. Trainers are then guided through the ITA modules, highlighting key learning objectives, activities, and potential implementation challenges. Through discussion, case examples, and role-play exercises, participants consider how to adapt the material to their specific settings while maintaining program fidelity. The training concludes with a focus on sustaining implementation, including reflecting on preparedness, using trainee feedback productively, and understanding how program evaluation can inform ongoing improvements to training delivery and outcomes.
This training is ideal for senior staff or educational instructors preparing to roll out In the Act in their agencies.
Program Outline:
PART I: Laying the Groundwork (~ 75 mins)
- Group introductions
- Facilitator background/credentials
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Trainer information
- Job roles/titles
- How they see ITA as helpful in their work
- Expectations for the day
- Prior experiences delivering group training
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Institution information
- Types of facilities represented
- Programs addressing criminogenic needs
- Programs focusing on criminal thinking
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Navigating the virtual learning environment
- Expectations for video
- Breaks
- Zoom engagement features
- Brief knowledge check (based on ITA Knowledge Quiz)
- Activity (e.g., partnered quiz or Jeopardy-style game) to ensure participants read and retained key information
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Enquire about burning questions
- Points of confusion
- Material trainers want covered in more detail
- Revisit questions throughout the training
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Gaining trainer buy-in
- Icebreaker highlighting challenges in interacting with incarcerated individuals
- Pitfalls in continuity of services within institutions
- Highlight role of staff as agents of change
- Review overarching goals of ITA and clarify staff are not replacing clinicians
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Clarifying the trainer vs. trainee role
- Tailored based on trainers’ reported experience delivering trainings
- Encourage trainers to view themselves as facilitators rather than instructors
- Treat trainees as ambassadors for the program
- Process feelings about being in the trainer role (concerns, worries, excitement)
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Assess training implementation preparedness
- Using pre-training preparedness scale (Chapter 6)
PART II: Being an Effective Trainer (~ 45 mins)
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Core facilitation skills
- Leaning into personal expertise, skills, and personality
- Traits of effective educators (empathy, flexibility, creativity, self-reflection)
- Techniques that help information stick (metaphors, humor, stories)
- Strategies to maintain pacing and manage chatty groups
- Benefits and best practices for co-facilitating
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Managing group dynamics
- Importance of trainee buy-in
- Handling difficult dynamics
- Managing silence
- Engaging quiet trainees
- Reducing anxiety around role play exercises
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Making good use of constructive feedback
- Acknowledge challenges of receiving feedback
- Reframe feedback as an opportunity for growth
- Orientation to trainer evaluation form
- Discuss mock trainer feedback and application
- [15 MINUTE BREAK]
PART III: ITA Delivery (~ 165 mins)
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Orientation to training materials
- Tips to organize and prepare for training day
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Discuss ITA module highlights
- Walk through each module
- Identify key objectives and learning activities
- Ask trainers to note slides/topics to revisit
- Identify slides or topics that may be difficult to implement
- [45 MIN LUNCH BREAK]
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Review ITA implementation recommendations and challenges
- Role play exercises
- Case study discussions
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Review complex slides or topics
- Discuss conflicting reactions or interpretations
- Clarify program position
- Discuss acceptable modifications
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Review implementation of handouts and learning activities
- Main intention of each activity
- How to introduce and facilitate activities
- Anticipated challenges
- Acceptable modifications
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Walk through Module 5 Practice Scenarios
- Suggested modifications when timing is limited
- [15 MINUTE BREAK]
PART IV: Making it Work (~ 60 mins)
- Assess need for broader adjustments or modifications
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Feedback and reflection
- Importance of trainee feedback
- Importance of self-reflection
- Post-training performance scale (Chapter 6)
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Reassess training implementation preparedness
- Compare with earlier ratings from the day
-
Program evaluation
- Purpose and importance of site-specific program evaluation
- What ITA program evaluation might look like
- Suggested evaluation structure and timeline
- Outcome measures
- Using evaluation data to inform training changes
- Elicit trainer feedback on the training day
