“Wow! There are a lot of rules here!” This was the observation expressed recently by a female resident who was transferring into KPEP from another residential facility. While the staff couldn’t help chuckling from the first impression of this resident, that statement accurately reflected the environment that would become this woman’s new reality.
KPEP does have a lot of rules. Those rules outline the structure of a system that is based on accountability, discipline and respect. In a residential environment like KPEP, even the categories of rules can seem overwhelming. There are rules regarding personal conduct, appearance, cleanliness, tidiness, schedules, timeliness, personal interactions with other residents and staff, house rules, work rules, attendance rules, participation rules, rules of engagement in groups, study rules….and the list goes on and on.
Why so many rules? From a practical standpoint, rules provide the specific outline necessary to keep order in a group living environment. With dozens of individuals all living under one roof, chaos could easily erupt if there were no clear guidelines to govern process, schedule or behavior. At KPEP, the procedures and expectations are clearly defined with rules.
The organizational success of the KPEP facilities doesn’t just come as a result of having the multitude of rules on the books. The key is the consistent enforcement of the rules. Staff members at KPEP understand that the culture of structure and accountability relies on making sure all of the rules are followed at all times. There are no ‘gray’ areas when it comes to following the rules at KPEP. There is no room for individual interpretation of the rules. The rules are clearly written and are to be followed to the letter, spirit and intent of each one. Many of the residents who come through the doors at KPEP have led lives that have not included following rules. The breaking of the law that ultimately led the resident into KPEP almost always came as a result of living a life that disregarded the need for rules and laws, including a lack of respect for authority. As part of the life-changing experiences that happen at KPEP, rule following becomes a key to transforming the thought patterns and behavior of each resident.
Becoming a successful graduate of KPEP includes being ready for a law-abiding life in society, with the intention to not re-offend. The first step to following society’s laws is understanding how to follow rules; a skill which can easily be mastered by following the multitude of rules at KPEP.
-William DeBoer, President and CEO