Correctional Edge Contributor Guidelines

Protect people and confidential information

Do not include inmate or employee names, identifying incident details, personnel files, investigation records, medical information, private contact details, or nonpublic agency material. Changing a name may not make a story anonymous. Do not share sensitive security procedures, vulnerabilities, photographs, or information that could put anyone at risk.

Be truthful about your experience

Write from experience you actually have. Do not invent events, credentials, job titles, quotes, endorsements, or outcomes. Clearly label fictional examples. Distinguish your opinion and personal experience from factual claims and cite reliable sources when needed. Do not present generated or borrowed stories as your own experience.

Respect agency requirements

Do not encourage misconduct, policy violations, retaliation, covering up mistakes, or avoiding required reporting. Explain that agency policies and requirements vary. This site provides independent perspectives, not official training, certification, legal advice, or agency instructions. You are responsible for following your employer’s rules about outside writing and disclosure.

Treat people professionally

Discuss officers, supervisors, incarcerated people and families with dignity. No harassment, threats, slurs, personal attacks, doxxing, glorification of abuse, or unsupported accusations. Focus on useful lessons rather than humiliating people or settling workplace disputes.

Submit original, authorized work

Use your own words and submit only writing, photos and other material you are authorized to have Correctional Edge edit and publish. Do not copy articles, agency manuals, paid materials or confidential promotion-board questions. Credit sources and disclose relevant assistance or conflicts of interest. No fabricated citations or unreviewed AI-generated submissions.

Stay useful and on topic

Keep contributions focused on corrections career realities, professional boundaries, promotion preparation, leadership or life outside work. Avoid sales pitches, affiliate links, recruiting, fundraising, or promotion of outside services unless Travis approves them first. Do not promise promotions, employment, pay increases or other guaranteed results.

Respect editorial review

Travis has final control over publication. Submissions may be edited, returned for changes, declined, or removed. Contributors cannot publish directly or bypass review. Later edits to a published article also require approval. Submit a professional public byline; the account email stays private.

Keep account access personal

Do not share your login, use someone else’s account, try to access other people’s drafts or member information, or represent yourself as the site owner. Tell Travis promptly if you suspect your account or submitted material has been compromised.

Correct problems promptly

If you notice an error, confidential detail, unauthorized image, or other concern in your submission, notify Travis promptly and cooperate with corrections or removal. Contributor access can be limited or revoked for violations. Serious safety, confidentiality or misconduct concerns may lead to immediate removal rather than a warning.

Understand participation

Submitting an article does not guarantee publication, employment, compensation, or an agency endorsement. Any paid arrangement must be separately agreed before the work begins. Keep your own copy of your writing. Basic member access and marketing email choices are separate from contributor permission.

What you will agree to

I have read and agree to follow these Contributor Guidelines. I understand that Travis reviews all submissions and may remove content or contributor access when these rules are not followed.

Agreement is recorded when you actively check the box and submit it in your member or contributor dashboard. This page alone does not record acceptance.