Seminar Title
Online-Inmate Behavior Management
Dates of Events
12/16/2026 through 12/16/2026
Last Updated: 10/02/2026
Instructor(s): Matthew Downing
Course Registration Fee: $150
Instructor Bio
Matthew Downing
Major (Active) Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, SC
Matthew Downing, currently a Major with the Berkeley County (SC) Sheriff's Office, began his law enforcement career in 2002 with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, where he transitioned from detention operations to patrol and later served as a SWAT operator and Detective. As a Detective, he developed extensive experience investigating serious criminal offenses, conducting surveillance and undercover operations, developing and executing search and arrest warrants, interviewing suspects and witnesses, and working closely with local and federal law enforcement partners.
In 2017, Downing joined the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office as a Detective, where his investigative career continued with a primary focus on complex and serious criminal investigations, including homicide and major violent crimes. He later served as a Detective Sergeant, supervising and mentoring investigators while continuing to oversee major cases. Following his promotion to Lieutenant, he assumed command of the Criminal Investigation Division, coordinating criminal investigations throughout Berkeley County. In this role, he established investigative priorities, developed courses of action for investigations and prosecution, reviewed investigative work, and helped guide complex cases from the initial investigation through case preparation.
Throughout his almost 14-year investigative career, Major Downing has built extensive experience in homicide and major violent crime investigations, before returning to patrol operations in 2023. Major Downing was promoted to Captain in 2024 and assigned as Operations Commander of the Hill-Finklea Detention Center, and later promoted to Major in 2026. While his current responsibilities focus on executive leadership and the daily operation of a large detention facility, his professional background is deeply rooted in criminal investigations, particularly homicide and major violent crimes.
Major Downing is also an agency instructor, helping train and mentor deputies on a variety of law enforcement topics. He is a graduate of the FBI-LEEDA leadership program, earning the Trilogy Award, and the FBI Command College. He holds both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from Charleston Southern University.
Major (Active) Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, SC
Matthew Downing, currently a Major with the Berkeley County (SC) Sheriff's Office, began his law enforcement career in 2002 with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, where he transitioned from detention operations to patrol and later served as a SWAT operator and Detective. As a Detective, he developed extensive experience investigating serious criminal offenses, conducting surveillance and undercover operations, developing and executing search and arrest warrants, interviewing suspects and witnesses, and working closely with local and federal law enforcement partners.
In 2017, Downing joined the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office as a Detective, where his investigative career continued with a primary focus on complex and serious criminal investigations, including homicide and major violent crimes. He later served as a Detective Sergeant, supervising and mentoring investigators while continuing to oversee major cases. Following his promotion to Lieutenant, he assumed command of the Criminal Investigation Division, coordinating criminal investigations throughout Berkeley County. In this role, he established investigative priorities, developed courses of action for investigations and prosecution, reviewed investigative work, and helped guide complex cases from the initial investigation through case preparation.
Throughout his almost 14-year investigative career, Major Downing has built extensive experience in homicide and major violent crime investigations, before returning to patrol operations in 2023. Major Downing was promoted to Captain in 2024 and assigned as Operations Commander of the Hill-Finklea Detention Center, and later promoted to Major in 2026. While his current responsibilities focus on executive leadership and the daily operation of a large detention facility, his professional background is deeply rooted in criminal investigations, particularly homicide and major violent crimes.
Major Downing is also an agency instructor, helping train and mentor deputies on a variety of law enforcement topics. He is a graduate of the FBI-LEEDA leadership program, earning the Trilogy Award, and the FBI Command College. He holds both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from Charleston Southern University.
Course Objectives
Course Overview:
Date: December 17, 2026
Time: 1:00-2:30pm Eastern
Inmate Behavior Management (IBM) is a proactive approach to maintaining safety, security, order, and accountability within a correctional/detention facility. IBM moves correctional/detention personnel beyond simply containing inmates and reacting to misconduct toward actively managing inmate behavior through appropriate supervision, clear expectations, accountability, and professional interaction.
The training introduces the six elements of IBM and concentrates on three areas directly affecting day-to-day detention operations:
1. Meeting Inmates' Basic Needs
2. Defining and Conveying Expectations for Inmate Behavior
3. Supervising Inmates
The overarching goal is to redirect staff from physical containment to behavior management.
At the conclusion of the training, the student will be able to:
· Define Inmate Behavior Management.
· Identify the six elements of IBM.
· Explain the relationship between meeting legitimate inmate needs and maintaining facility security.
· Identify the physical, safety, and social needs of inmates.
· Explain the importance of establishing clear and attainable behavioral expectations.
· Explain why expectations require accountability.
· Describe direct and indirect methods of communicating behavioral expectations.
· Explain the appropriate use of incentives and disincentives.
· Explain the importance of officer presence in effective inmate supervision.
· Identify the professional behaviors required for effective inmate supervision.
· Explain the importance of being firm, fair, and consistent.
· Distinguish between physical containment and behavior management.
· Explain how professional staff behavior can influence inmate behavior.
Group Viewing Encouraged: Pay 1 Registration Fee
·Multiple attendees can group view the training from one device only and each attendee will receive a certificate.
·ONLY the registered attendee will receive a link to join the training (Link will be sent 1-2 Days Prior to the Event)
Quiz & Certificates: Within 24 hours after the live broadcast the registered attendee will receive an email with:
·Quiz link that will need to be forwarded to each person in your group so they may print a certificate after completing the quiz.
·30 Days Access of the Recording (this link may be shared with with others in your department only)
*** No Refunds After Class Link Has Been Sent**
Time: 1:00-2:30pm Eastern
Inmate Behavior Management (IBM) is a proactive approach to maintaining safety, security, order, and accountability within a correctional/detention facility. IBM moves correctional/detention personnel beyond simply containing inmates and reacting to misconduct toward actively managing inmate behavior through appropriate supervision, clear expectations, accountability, and professional interaction.
The training introduces the six elements of IBM and concentrates on three areas directly affecting day-to-day detention operations:
1. Meeting Inmates' Basic Needs
2. Defining and Conveying Expectations for Inmate Behavior
3. Supervising Inmates
The overarching goal is to redirect staff from physical containment to behavior management.
At the conclusion of the training, the student will be able to:
· Define Inmate Behavior Management.
· Identify the six elements of IBM.
· Explain the relationship between meeting legitimate inmate needs and maintaining facility security.
· Identify the physical, safety, and social needs of inmates.
· Explain the importance of establishing clear and attainable behavioral expectations.
· Explain why expectations require accountability.
· Describe direct and indirect methods of communicating behavioral expectations.
· Explain the appropriate use of incentives and disincentives.
· Explain the importance of officer presence in effective inmate supervision.
· Identify the professional behaviors required for effective inmate supervision.
· Explain the importance of being firm, fair, and consistent.
· Distinguish between physical containment and behavior management.
· Explain how professional staff behavior can influence inmate behavior.
Group Viewing Encouraged: Pay 1 Registration Fee
·Multiple attendees can group view the training from one device only and each attendee will receive a certificate.
·ONLY the registered attendee will receive a link to join the training (Link will be sent 1-2 Days Prior to the Event)
Quiz & Certificates: Within 24 hours after the live broadcast the registered attendee will receive an email with:
·Quiz link that will need to be forwarded to each person in your group so they may print a certificate after completing the quiz.
·30 Days Access of the Recording (this link may be shared with with others in your department only)
*** No Refunds After Class Link Has Been Sent**
