Corrections is a great and noble profession. It is a profession that is centered around professionalism and serves a defining role in the law enforcement community.
Today, there are still many who question our existence. Their view is limited and still revolves around the primitive notion that we are nothing more than “guards” who stand idle and do nothing but turn keys. Their views are widespread because the venues that promote who we are have been biased against us. The truth continues to remain hidden behind stories that focus more on drawing sympathy for the inmates, as opposed to any respect for the officers who bravely risk their lives every day dealing with the criminal element.
The television show “60 Days In” has received national attention by promoting a jail plagued with problems. The sheriff’s hard efforts to fix the problems are minimized as A&E continues to highlight individuals who are biased against the system.
The public is being spoon-fed a negative, subjective perspective without any view of the positive within our profession. Objective reporting should promote both sides of the coin and let those who watch draw their opinions based on what is fairly being shown. Eliminating one side of the spectrum is unfair and degrades the correctional system.
Recently, I was called in by the sheriff of Clark County to do a segment on Nightline. This segment should have been based on the positive changes that the sheriff had implemented after the findings from the undercovers. Changes were implemented regarding programs, safety and security, and overall morale. Coverage of the above mentioned positive changes were brief as attention was quickly driven towards corruption and a lack of control at the facility.
I was there to present a positive message and I personally watched that message get dismissed.
The media has twisted our existence long enough. We need to contest any negative perspective of who we are and remind people that we are more than the negative actions of the one. We need to contest any time we are generalized by the negative actions of one. We need to remind people that the system is good and there are many that hold the true values of the system deep inside their hearts. We need to remind people that for every person that commits a negative action, there are many more who devote themselves to the positive and those are the ones who should be seen as a true representation of the system. It’s time we contest the negative outlook that has bastardized our system for too long. It’s our time to shine and speak the truth.
