The number of work-related injuries and deaths due to violence and contraband in corrections appears to be increasing.
Although it is not written in stone, all of those working in corrections should have a constitutional right to safety, with correctional management and legislature responsible to ensure the safest work environment possible.
I recently conducted a survey on prison violence and corruption via Twitter and LinkedIn using the sampling method. The survey was set at 100 responses. Respondents included professors, attorneys, former inmates, correctional staff, police, and probation and parole.
After reading the responses to each of the seven questions, please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Did you anticipate the responses? What questions would you ask in a similar survey?
1. What are you most concerned about in regard to prison violence and corruption?
Inmate violence: 17.14%
Corrupt officers: 47.14%
Dangers of contraband smuggling: 15.71%
Other: 20.00%
From the “other” category, the following concerns were reported:
- Inadequate staff levels
- Corruption of senior administration
- Inferior inmate programs
- Counselors, who are supposed to help inmates, being involved in contraband smuggling
2. Should solitary confinement be used to remove violent inmates from the inmate population?
Yes: 88.73%
No: 1.41%
Unsure: 4.23%
Other: 5.63%
From the “other” category, the following concerns were reported:
- Solitary confinement is cruel and unusual punishment
- Confinement should be re-designed for 24-hour verbal communication but no physical contact
- Re-design confinement for mental health issues
- Use sparingly and with oversight
- Always calculate severity and totality of the circumstances before using confinement
3. What punishment should a correctional officer receive for physical abuse of an inmate?
Prison sentence: 25.35%
Jail sentence: 15.49%
Probation: 11.27%
Other: 47.89%
From the “other” category, the following concerns were reported:
- Punishment should be according to the severity and contributing circumstances of each case
- Consideration should be given for acts of self-defense; in this type of situation, no punishment is needed
- Loss of job, certification and pension
- Mental health intervention
4. When an inmate kills an officer, what punishment should the inmate receive?
Death sentence: 71.83%
Life in prison: 14.08%
Unsure: 2.82%
Other: 11.27%
From the “other” category, the following concerns were reported:
- Needs to be decided by the court on each case
- Depends on the circumstances
- A death penalty should always apply to any senseless murder
5. Should drug smuggling in prison be addressed by legislature?
Yes: 61.97%
No: 19.72%
Unsure: 5.63%
Other: 12.68%
From the “other” category, the following concerns were reported:
- There are enough laws on the books for this already
- Enforce the laws already on the books
- First-time prison staff offenders should receive a prison sentence
6. Should the use of solitary confinement be addressed by legislature?
Yes: 33.80%
No: 45.07%
Unsure: 14.08%
Other: 7.04%
From the “other” category, the following concerns were reported:
- Politicians know nothing about prison
- Mental illness and the use of confinement need to be addressed
7. In general, do you care about what happens in prison?
Yes: 87.32%
No: 4.23%
Unsure: 4.23%
Other: 4.23%
Analyzing Perceptions
This survey reveals the impressions people have of the corrections world in regard to prison violence and corruption. However, perceptions and beliefs do not always match reality.
Based on my experience investigating prison crimes for a 12-year period, I found only a small number of correctional officers to be corrupt, but their actions hurt all officers. This sample survey indicates 47.14% of our respondents are concerned about corrupt officers.
How do we change the perception that all correctional officers are corrupt? First we must work harder to prevent corruption from within. We all must report any signs of staff misconduct.
We also need the media to work with us and not against us. Bad news is good for the media business, so they seldom feature positive stories about the corrections profession. Prison wardens can help change the public perception by working closely with city and county commissioners, as well as the local media.
A surprising finding of the survey was that 88.73% of respondents approve of the use of solitary confinement to protect others. The 71.83% in favor of the death penalty for inmates killing an officer indicates a strong concern for officer safety. This survey also indicates there is a concern for dishonest officers to receive proper punishment according to the situation and circumstances.
Correctional officers face many dangers every day. We need legislature and leaders to be diligent in providing a safer environment for everyone inside the prison walls.
