The importance of emotional intelligence, warrior leadership and community effort

As they attempt to help those incarcerated choose a better way of life when released, while not neglecting to serve the corrections staff, Department of Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres, highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence, warrior leadership, and the ever present need of community support during his presentation at the Rotary Club of Saipan, Tuesday at the Crowne Plaza in Garapan.

Torres emphasized the critical role emotional intelligence plays in leadership, both for inmates and staff alike.

In an post presentation interview Torres said “With right now… since the RSAT program is still in the beginning stages where we haven’t even got the unit up and running, but we’ve secure the funding, which is great, once we have that, we have a good baseline for establishing some programming in regards to emotional intelligence. Like when I worked for the Bureau of Prisons, we had the challenge treatment program, the residential drug abuse program, and they were units that were utilized for a residential program. But right now, with the little that we have, we’re partnering with like the Hope Recovery Center and NMTECH. They’re coming up to the outreach program facility and conducting those groups to include drug abuse treatment, anger management, in addition to learning some of their skills.” As the program progresses, Torres shared that the goal is to extend these opportunities within the facility, ensuring that even inmates unable to leave due to their status have access to emotional intelligence programs.

Torres also expressed plans to incorporate emotional intelligence training in the upcoming corrections officer academy. He expressed a personal commitment to facilitating these sessions and stressed the importance of introducing emotional intelligence education not only in correctional institutions but also in schools. “Emotional intelligence, financial education, financial literacy, those are the tools that isn’t in our school system.”

Torres advocates for emotional intelligence, financial education, and literacy to be integrated into the school curriculum, starting as early as high school or middle school.

Responding to questions about the connection between emotional intelligence and recidivism, Commissioner Torres underscored the significance of providing a baseline understanding to inmates. He emphasized the importance of teaching tools like the eight attitudes for success, interpersonal skills, and communication styles. The aim is to empower individuals to make rational decisions and resist negative influences, ultimately reducing the likelihood of reoffending. “And if that can be, if that can at least, if that can empower them to be like challenging those old thoughts where this is not worth it, I’m not going to go down this route, then you know what, then maybe it worked. So that’s that baseline piece with emotional intelligence that I like to implement. And this can be applied to the staff as well, not just the inmates but the staff. Making good choices, making rational decisions, knowing that, you know, what the effects of substance is, what it can have on you, making rational decisions.” said Torres

Regarding the next correctional officer cycle, Torres shared that the initial timeline in February had been adjusted ” I know I said February, end of February, March, we’re looking at April because we’re going to be working with NMC, WIA, we might have a combined law enforcement academy. So it’s still in the works and we’re going to have a lot of, we’re going to have assistance from WIA, which is going to be great. But we’re shooting again. We’re shooting for April. I know I keep giving these dates and it gets a push back, but having NMC involved and having an incentive for the candidates to obtain college credits, that’s huge in and of itself. And I think that partnership with NMC can help.”

The aim is to coordinate a combined law enforcement academy, tentatively scheduled for April. The collaboration with NMC will provide candidates with incentives, such as obtaining college credits, further enriching the officer training program.

Torres reiterated his commitment to embedding emotional intelligence principles within the correctional system, fostering an environment of understanding, growth, and positive transformation for both inmates and staff, as he explained to Rotarians “It is my passionate commitment to intertwine these virtues or ethos of emotional intelligence and warrior leadership into the very fabric of our correctional system in Greater Commonwealth… I seek to foster an environment where conflicts are seen as opportunities for understanding, growth, and healing.”

Emphasizing its role in inspiring courage, unity, determination, strategic thinking, and decision-making, Torres also shared how the warrior mentality has helped him in the leadership role and in seeking to help both staff and inmates. He seeks continuous improvement in this mentality, demonstrating resilience, perseverance, and upholding strong ethical principles. Torres values trust, respect, motivating others, and being a hands-on leader committed to making positive changes in the community. These principles, along with faith, responsibility, and instilling change through opportunities, form the core of the DOC Outreach Program.

He asks the community, alng with the Rotary Club to help him in continuing to help these individuals as they seek a better way in life.