There’s a fine line between staying cool under pressure and simply not caring — and in corrections work, knowing the difference can mean the difference between control and chaos.
Early in my career, I looked up to a deputy I’ll call Dan Sterling. He never raised his voice, rarely had to discipline inmates formally and walked the housing units like he owned them. To a rookie like me, Sterling seemed disengaged — detached, almost indifferent. And I wondered: Is this how you survive a career in corrections? By turning it all off?
I tried to mimic him. I paid less attention to inmate chatter, ignored minor issues and responded to fewer requests. At first, it felt like I had cracked the code — less drama, fewer problems. But within a week, things began to spiral. Tensions rose. Inmates began testing boundaries. Power dynamics shifted. What started as quiet became chaotic.
Frustrated, I turned to Sterling. “Why is this falling apart for me?” I asked. “You barely interact, and your unit runs smooth.”
He gave me that same steady look — the one he used whether he was drinking coffee or dealing with a problem inmate — and said: “Maybe I don’t look like I’m paying attention,” he said, calm but firm. “But inmates know I do what I say I’m going to do, and I don’t put up with anyone stepping out of line. I keep the housing unit safe. They get what they’ve got coming — nothing more, nothing less.”
In that moment, it clicked.
Sterling wasn’t disengaged — he was unaffected. He showed up fully, monitored constantly and enforced consistently. But what he didn’t do was emotionally invest in the daily dramas playing out under his supervision.
He handled his job with the precision of a craftsman: present, deliberate and unmoved by distractions. His expression rarely changed. He didn’t project anger, frustration, or superiority. He maintained a professional presence that was calm, predictable and in control.
This distinction — between disengagement and being unaffected — was subtle but critical. And it reshaped how I approached my work.
Staying engaged without getting pulled in
Being engaged is not optional in corrections work. It is the foundation of safety — yours, your colleagues’ and the inmates’. When you’re paying attention, you spot red flags early. A normally reserved inmate suddenly becoming overly social? He might have access to drugs. A housing unit starts sitting by racial lines at breakfast? That could signal rising tensions or an impending conflict. These signs are only visible to those who are watching closely — professionals who are engaged.
But here’s the nuance: engagement doesn’t mean emotional investment. You don’t need to ride the emotional waves of every outburst or incident. In fact, you shouldn’t. Being emotionally reactive makes you vulnerable, and in corrections, vulnerability can be manipulated.
The challenge is that we naturally have emotional reactions to what we are involved in. At home with our families, in a social setting with our friends, this is normal. But in a correctional facility, emotional attachment to what we are experiencing is Kryptonite.
Inmates know this. Many are socially intuitive and skilled at reading people. If they see your emotions — especially frustration or anger — they can use them against you. That’s not personal to you; it’s strategic. They’re not targeting your identity — they’re targeting your role.
Be the scientist
The easiest method to reduce an emotional reaction to what’s going on around you is to disengage from what is going on around you. Not an option, right? So, how do you stay engaged but unaffected? Do what Sterling did. Be like a scientist.
Observe situations with curiosity, not judgment. Stay interested in what’s happening, but don’t absorb it emotionally. Look for patterns, changes in behavior and subtle shifts in group dynamics. Ask yourself, “What’s going on here?” instead of “Why is this happening to me?”
This mindset allows you to remain in control of your emotions and responses. It also gives you the clarity to make sound decisions in real time — not out of anger or frustration, but out of duty and professionalism.
Duty vs. obligation
Understanding the difference between duty and obligation is key. Obligation feels personal — like you owe someone something. But duty? That’s mission-focused. It’s about doing your job for your institution, your colleagues and your community. You respond to inmates not because you feel like it, but because it’s part of keeping the facility secure and running smoothly.
Engagement grounded in duty — not emotion — is what allows corrections professionals to maintain safety, respect and authority over time.
When you feel affected
No one is immune to emotional reactions. Even the best corrections professionals have moments when something gets under their skin. This is human. But when you have an emotional reaction to something at work, take it as a cue. Reflect on it later, in a safe space. Ask yourself: What triggered that? Was it the inmate’s words — or something personal that made those words land harder than they should have? Did I respond as a professional or as someone taking it personally?
That kind of self-awareness is your best defense against burnout, manipulation and emotional fatigue.
Final thoughts
The most effective corrections professionals aren’t cold. They’re composed. They don’t shut down — they show up, pay attention and respond strategically. They remain connected to their mission, but detached from the drama.
Stay engaged. Stay alert. But protect your emotions the way you protect your partners — with vigilance and purpose. In the world of corrections, being unaffected is not a sign of weakness. It is a benefit of mastery.
| NEXT: Reasons why you should and should not apologize to an inmate
