By C1 Staff
While it’s obvious the public shouldn’t know the intricacies of operating a prison (security matters above all), it could be important for them to understand the dangers that correctional officers and others face when dealing with offenders on a day to day basis. If people understood the reality of what goes on behind those concrete walls and the terrible things officers and others are subjected to, the awareness raised could eventually help create a safer environment for everyone involved.
We took to Facebook to ask our readers how they would educate the public on the realities of working behind the wall. We’re going to let the readers speak for themselves on this one, because we received many eloquent responses. Add any other thoughts you might have in the comments.
How would you educate the public on the realities of working inside a prison? Sound off in the comments and your response might end up in a C1 article.
Posted by Corrections1 on Friday, August 14, 2015
Lisa English: As a proud member of the FDOC, it is ever so important to educate the public on the many ups and downs of working behind the walls! At my institution we not only house inmates but we also house mentally ill inmates! The dangers that lurk around the corners are eminent and take a dedicated professional to be able to cope with what trials and tribulations that occur on a daily basis! Care, Custody and Control takes on a completely different meaning!
Heather Artana: I would like the general public to understand that corrections is not the bash and crash that they think. They need to be made aware that the “punishment” is the loss of liberty and that it is our job to keep them safe and try to develop a good working rapport with these individuals who have already chosen not to play by the rules of society. I would like people to understand how hard it is to breach the “us and them” mentality with people who already see us as the enemy, all the while trying to get them to address the reasons why they ended up in jail and getting treatment support in place for them in order to rehabilitate.
The general public needs to understand that sometimes we are confronted with situations that would make most people wet themselves and that we sometimes have to make a split second decision or take action to maintain the safety of the offender whilst maintaining the security of the facility and the safety of other inmates. It would be nice to know they understand that our bodies get tired and hurt and our attitudes change because of constantly having to work with individuals who most regular citizens would shy away from. It’s not glamorous or tough. It’s sometimes just hard work, both mentally and physically; sometimes it changes us. Our families and friends often bear the brunt of it. We don’t have a license to hit out; we have to constantly try to challenge unacceptable behavior using other means and it isn’t a walk in the park.
Bob Harbaugh: I am a Registered Nurse with over 20 years in Corrections. We work with the people that the general public needs protected from. For the most part we are treated with respect; there are always exceptions and sometimes even if you treat others with respect they will lash out at you and direct their anger towards you. I have dealt with people that I could feel safe living beside and also some monsters that should never be released. We are labeled as Correctional Institutions and I have seen people change but most inmates don’t have the skills or support when they are released and return to the same neighborhood and fall into the same routine; it is a lot easier to sell drugs for a thousand dollars a day then to work a 9 to 5 job for maybe minimum wage.
Prisons are run by the gangs, and they will tell you that; we are in control on a daily basis because they allow us to be. Everyone has a horror stories; I have seen my fellow coworkers beat, I have seen inmates beaten and murdered by other inmates. Drugs are smuggled into prisons many different ways and cause the same problems as on the street. Inmates are offered many chances to better themselves by school, learning a trade, and gaining an understanding that their crimes hurt themselves and others. No 2 prisons or inmates are the same we deal with people from different countries, cultures, sexual orientation etc. Most prisons are nicer than school campuses and better equipped and funded. They are a community within a community usually employing a lot of people from that community.
Liz Shields: Even though you might have “good rapport” you have to constantly watch your back and be aware of your surroundings. As a female, even if you remain firm, fair, and consistent you will always be looked upon as a walking piece of meat. You will see extreme violence towards each other that shocks you and you will see horrible medical emergencies and conditions.
You will be constantly tested, attempted to be manipulated, and scorned for doing your job. Your coworkers and superiors will treat you far worse than the inmates do. Your male counterparts will try and pamper you or shelter you by doing your job for you. Seasoned officers will more often than not look down upon you and try to make you feel stupid or excluded, instead of part of the team.
Hilary Crist: It’s like combining parenting 150+ toddlers with the drama of high school, the violence of fight club, and some serious mind bending shit. Once a worker becomes desensitized, horrific things such as a brutal assault, homicide or suicide becomes “another day at the office.” The paranoia is still present today, even though I left the prison in January...I have a hard time in public places if there are large crowds.
Theodore Koncsol: Here’s the reality.
Police are getting a lot of attention of late. Some good, some bad. But, in all due respect, during a police officer’s shift, who is the best person a police officer has interaction with? A pastor? Doctor? Teacher? Sure, any of the above.
As a correctional officer, the best of our citizens is still a criminal.
That is what the reality is. We are surrounded by them. Sometimes the weak of us succumb to them, but the strong carry on.
Greg Mckinney: Know that you are walking into a hostile environment, working among the people society has decided must be locked away and kept separate. They are going to do whatever they need to do to survive their ordeal-including harming their keepers. It is dangerous work, with your adrenaline spiking anytime you have contact with them. You may not get to go home when you want to. Family plans are often changed.
The hours are long and tiring. Your family that loves you will not always understand what you are exposed to and you will not want to share it all with them. Your reward, if you are lucky, is to return home each day; unharmed both physically and mentally to be the best spouse and parent you can be -- however, working inside a correctional facility, “walking the toughest beat” will forever change you. It is not for everyone...
Robin Hernandez: Out of sight out of mind not only goes for inmates but the officers too! Staff shortages, overcrowding, are just the tip of the iceberg. We are at the mercy of poor decisions made by people who haven’t a clue how it is but, they get away with it because the public doesn’t care as long as they don’t have to see or hear about it.
Eric Gardner: First hand education. Sort of like a scared straight program only they shadow the officers and observe what goes on first hand. From the safety of the control room of course. Then we they see staff get cut or taken hostage for themselves they’ll change their minds.
Talking to the public does no good unless you’re a high up representative of the media and they’re not going to believe what they see on video because of the editing technology that’s available these days.
They need to see what we deal with their own two eyes.