By C1 Staff
Do you think that you leave work behind when you leave your correctional facility?
What about that inmate who was released yesterday? Think you’ll never see them again?
Wrong! Work can follow you home and other public places that both you and your family frequent. Use these handy tips, submitted by C1 readers, to keep yourself and your loved ones safe in places like a grocery store or even going out to a restaurant.
1. Use the reflection in storefront windows to observe if you are being followed
2. If you are being followed on the way home in your car, don’t go straight home — go around the block or pull over to let the car behind you go by
3. Maintain a low profile on social networking sites
4. Do not wear any type of law enforcement t-shirts in public
5. Create a plan for what to do if you recognize a former inmate — are you going to stand in front of your family while dealing with the former inmate, or should they go elsewhere in the store?
6. Create a password to share with your family to let them know that a situation is too dangerous and they should wait in the car or in a secure area
7. Know who and where your local law enforcement is; is there a police department down the street from your home? Or maybe their home is next door to yours!
8. COs should evaluate threats made by inmates and communicate concerns to their spouses; communication is key!
Do you have more tips for keeping your CO family safe? Share them in the comments.