Getting to the Point
The top of a pyramid is what makes it identifiable as a pyramid. This apex is known as the capstone. On ancient pyramids, capstones were given special care and sometimes made of gold. Kings had their names etched in them. Pyramids are architectural marvels. While many mysteries and legends abound, experts agree that the building of the pyramids took hundreds of workers hundreds of years to complete.
While pyramids served many purposes (some were quite elaborate on the inside with bakeries, tombs and hallways aplenty) the outward symbol of success was to get to the point, the capstone. Once the builders completed the point of the pyramid, it was complete. Any shortcuts would certainly be noticed and mar the elegance of these ancient structures. If the work crews had rushed to get to the point, it is unlikely that these landmarks would still be standing.
Building in Layers
Pyramids are built in layers, starting with a wide foundation that has sufficient integrity and stability to support extraordinary weight, forces of nature, and the test of time. After the base is established, the workers had to progressively work toward the peak, one layer at a time. Each layer created more weight for the foundation to support, which also made the base more stable. If the base was not level and anchored on bedrock, the structural integrity of the entire project was in danger.
Patience was a primary virtue of the construction manager and the team. (I don’t have enough patience to get the basics correct on my golf swing. I am too eager to get to the point – playing 18 holes of golf hoping for a low score. I can’t imagine working an entire lifetime toward a goal, knowing that I would never see it to completion). Given the mathematical precision of the pyramids dimensions, skipping a layer to get to the point, was not an option. While getting the foundation correct is absolutely critical, each layer between the base and the peak served an equally important purpose.
Building on a Solid Foundation
I find the pyramid building process mirrors the process of creating a quality community corrections program. It is tempting to just get to the point, monitoring and treating offenders. However, if we do not create a solid foundation, or we take any shortcuts, our pyramid will not have the structural integrity to stand the test of time. Rushing through building of any of the layers, in order to get to the point, may feel like real progress but each layer is critically important. If you are the first one to create a pyramid with a beautifully adorned capstone, any failures to focus on one layer at a time will in time result in a mountain peak without a mountain.
As strong believers and supporters of Evidence Based Practices (EBP), the CorrectTech team hopes to help agencies ensure that they get the foundations of Purpose and Principles along with the Policies and Procedures that will dictate their Practice. In the coming weeks, we will explain the concepts and the importance of each of the 5 Ps, their source and their implementation. While not quite as old as the ancient pyramids, today’s community corrections professionals collectively have thousands of years of expertise.
Building Together
It will take all of us working together for a long time to help build a pyramid of solid evidence based practices that is true to our mission of serving the community and improving public safety. We look forward to hearing about your stories of pitfalls and successes. We are building this pyramid together. The first agency to get to the point is not necessarily the winner. We need to be able to survive extraordinary weight, forces of nature and the test of time. Together.
