Managing the inmate population: A trainer’s perspective

How does a correctional officer manage the inmate population? I have been asked this question many times over my on duty and post-retirement career. Who are the people asking? They include ‘rookies,’ volunteers, college students, the media and the hard-working, tax-paying citizens.

It’s a good question for a training class. Trainers can open up a session by asking this simple question. One question I like to pose to my in service classes is, ‘how many years of experience are sitting in the room?’ Each person, including me, states how many years they have worked in corrections and someone adds them up on a calculator. I usually get a total of 200 years plus, depending on the size of the group. As a trainer, I mentally note the ‘old veterans’ – not so much their age, but the number of years that they have worked in the field. Civilians such as programs staff, counselors and medical personnel also have to be counted. At the end of this exercise, I know that if I can get a discussion going, everyone in the class can learn from one another. So, a good question is: “In your career, what has worked for you in managing inmates?”

The key is discussion and not just everyone telling a ‘war story.’ War stories are useful, but what is more important is what correctional officers and staff learn from it – a ‘life lesson.’ So with that in mind, I will pretend that I have been asked, as a corrections veteran and trainer, what I have learned about managing inmates. Or, in other words, what worked for me. I am a realist; there are some inmates that are so negative, all of the best efforts by COs will not make a difference. But, in my view, most inmates want to get along with the staff.

So, with that in mind, here’s what research and experience has taught me in managing the inmate population:

Respect: To get respect, you, the correctional officer (CO), have to earn respect. Earning respect among inmates means treating them with dignity. Calling people by last name, nicknames or using verbiage that is condescending will start a ripple of resentment in the minds of the inmates.

“Mr. Smith or Miss Jones, may I see you for a moment?” sounds a lot better than “Hey you – get your butt over here, now!” To some COs this may be difficult, as they do not like some inmates and get satisfaction by treating them disrespectfully. That should be addressed by supervisors. COs should want to get along with inmates so there is less tension, less resentment and less reports about disciplinary infractions and arguments to write.

Also, COs are outnumbered – so why not use a little ‘honey’ instead of ‘vinegar’? Don’t you like to be addressed respectfully? Disrespect also includes harassment and such actions as leaving an inmate’s belongings in disarray after a cell search.

Appearance: The way a CO or a civilian staff member appears makes a statement. A CO who strides upright and maintains a professional bearing and appearance commands respect. You do not want inmates to be reluctant in approaching you, but you want to appear knowledgeable, attentive to the job and conscientious in what you are doing.

Correctional agencies are para military organizations and clean uniforms, neat personal grooming, shined shoes and insignia all make for a good appearance. Civilians (including volunteers) that dress in business or neat casual attire also present a strong, professional image. Don’t forget the work station – how sloppy is your desk?

Not engaging in ‘POP,’ or ‘pissing off people’: This is closely linked to respect. What make inmates angry? Not getting their way in disputes with staff is a given. But COs who like to push inmates’ buttons, rile them up and treat them like sub-humans are sure to ‘piss them off.’ The inmates know their situation and that they do not want to be there – why get them mad? You cannot effectively manage a group of inmates if they are mad at the way you have spoken to them.

But some COs use sarcastic facial expressions, such as the rolling of eyes or shaking the head. Having a bad attitude in the unit and letting the inmates know it can increase tension. Using profanity, racial/ethnic slurs when speaking to inmates, especially calling them ‘a**holes’, using the ‘s***t’ word and the ‘F’ word will really make them want to interact with you, right? I think not! (Klugiewicz, 2009)

Concern: To manage inmates effectively, COs should show concern for them. Concern can range from the conditions in which they live to watching out for their safety. It’s no wonder that many lawsuits filed against correctional facilities by inmates or on behalf of inmates allege that correctional officers and staff did not provide adequate medical care, mental health care, measures to prevent suicide, prevention of assault (including sexual assault), improper use of segregation and the use of excessive force. Not all inmate lawsuits end in victory for the inmate.

But in cases that end with COs going to prison for excessive force, agencies found in violation of inmates’ civil rights concerning suicide, substandard living conditions, improper medical and mental health care and inmates being improperly housed in isolation, there is a common underlying theme. That theme is the lack of concern for the well-being of inmates in the custody of the facility. COs must be proactive, looking for trouble in inmate areas, from substandard conditions, predatory inmates, inadequate mental health and medical care and actions of fellow COs that are unprofessional and detrimental to inmate welfare. These ‘troubles’ must be handled in the early stages before situations become very serious, embarrassing – and costly.

What can trainers do? There are a few things. First, from day one, correctional officers must be informed, by supervisors and trainers, that the role of a CO is more than just counting inmates, searching them, issuing meals and breaking up fights. COs are people managers and must look out for the safety, security, health and well-being of inmates. If they cannot grasp that, they should get another job.

Second, training should include the issues outlined in this article; presented by well trained, veteran, mature staff. This training must be proactive, or don’t wait for an inmate lawsuit about medical care to cycle everyone through a course on inmate rights. Training in inmate management should be part of an agency’s in service training schedule.

Hopefully trainers will find this article useful. The next time that you have a class, ask the question: “What has worked for you in managing inmates”?

You may have some enlightening discussions. Good luck!

Reference:
Klugiewicz, Gary T. (2009, January 27) Tip: is it OK to swear at inmates? Retrieved from: http://www.corrections1.com/writers/columnists/Gary-Klugiewicz_CO/tips/1845274-Is-it-OK-to-swear-at-inmates/