As a retired jail deputy sheriff, I am very fortunate to be able to continue providing training and writing blogs and books for the men and women in a field that was my professional home for many years. However, there have been some recent incidents reported in the news that concern me. In two correctional systems, correctional officers (COs) have been terminated or are facing termination.
In Florida, 32 correctional officers were dismissed on September 19, 2014. All were accused of “criminal wrongdoing or misconduct” in the deaths of inmates at four Florida state correctional facilities. The Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) states that the complaints included “inappropriate use of force” and excessive force. In one inmate death, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is further investigating the actions of officers, described by prison inspectors as “sadistic [and] retaliatory.” In that 2010 case, news reports said that an inmate was gassed after he pleaded with staff to be taken to a hospital for a blood disorder that had become serious (Brown, 2014).
In another Florida DOC case, a 50-year-old seriously mentally ill inmate defecated in his cell and refused to clean it up. It was reported in the media that he was locked in a small shower by officers who turned on a stream of hot water and left him in the shower for almost two hours. The inmate could not control the water, and was taunted by officers. He collapsed and died in the shower, when his body was discovered by officers. Witnesses reported that “chunks of skin were slipping off his body.” As of the latest media reports, no one has been found accountable in this death, but after police investigations, the warden and his top deputy were terminated (Brown, 2014).
In New York City, an administrative law judge has recommended that six New York City correctional officers, one a captain, be fired as a result of a 2012 beating of a handcuffed inmate in a solitary confinement dormitory used for mentally ill inmates. Officers said that the inmate, a Bloods gang member convicted of attempted murder, kicked the captain twice and had another CO in a headlock. The ensuing struggle led to his injuries. However, the court apparently agreed with the inmate’s version of events, which were corroborated by inmate witnesses and surveillance video. The judge concluded that officers, some wearing gloves, beat the inmate as one officer stood outside of the cell. The inmate suffered a broken nose, a badly swollen bloodied face and a fractured back (Pearson, 2014).
I know that these accusations are based on news reports, and in both cases unions are involved. I want all correctional officers to be treated fairly and be given due process. In these cases, there will be more investigations and probably further disciplinary actions. Officers have a tough job, and there have been times that inmates have lied or embellished the version of events. Officers deserve the benefit of the doubt.
But these are serious accusations and cannot be ignored. On the surface, these allegations and actions are terrible and put the corrections field in a negative light. A reasonable person cannot ignore the fact that one inmate suffered a fractured spine, and another’s body had chunks of skin falling off due to a hot prison shower. One could say those injuries are similar to ones we see in the movies, made up in the minds of Hollywood screenwriters to shock us.
Yes, inmates are sometimes combative. Yes, inmates have been known to smear excrement. Yes, inmates resist us and force has to be used to protect staff, inmates, and gain compliance from the inmate.
But in these cases, I have to ask two questions:
Where were the supervisors? In training for supervisors, any ‘bad apples’ in the CO force must be discovered, disciplined and if necessary-fired. Training must emphasize staff discipline, the proper way to write evaluations and recommending termination if a CO is out of control.
Management must take action if the climate of the facility is one of staff corruption and brutality. Training for supervisors must include ongoing training in the civil rights of inmates, especially in Eighth Amendment issues (cruel and unusual punishment). This training should also include legitimate use of force and liability issues. When the media and courts become involved, it is too late.
What were the correctional officers thinking? All correctional facilities are ‘open’ places, with staff and inmates everywhere. Misconduct by staff usually comes out, sooner or later. Surveillance cameras record, witnesses observe, word gets around. Sooner or later, the ‘dirty laundry’ will be hung out for all to see-the courts, attorneys, supervisors, the public and the media.
Did they think that no one would ever find out?
Finally, a last word. I am a supporter of roll call and staff meetings and training. What occurred in these two agencies, plus other similar incidents, should be frankly discussed at roll calls, meeting and in training from the top of the agency all the way down to the front line. Every trainer, supported by management, should use these reports to learn from horrible mistakes.
References:
Brown, Julie K. September 19, 2014. Florida prison boss fires 32 over inmate deaths. Miami Herald, www.miamiherald.com (Accessed September 21, 2014).
Pearson, Jake. September 30, 2014. Firing proposed for 6 NYC officers in inmate beating. Associated Press, Corrections1 News, www.corrections1.com (Accessed October 1, 2014).
