Officer Safety
Officer Safety is a critical concern within correctional facilities, focusing on protecting staff from physical harm and ensuring a secure working environment. This directory provides articles and resources on best practices, training, and equipment that enhance the safety of correctional officers. Understanding the importance of officer safety helps develop strategies to mitigate risks and respond effectively to threats. For further insights, explore our section on Defensive Tactics.
Turning complex data into actionable strategies for staff, inmates and facilities
Physical design flaws, staffing shortages and complacency all create unseen risks in correctional facilities — but proactive supervision can help eliminate blind spots
A HAZMAT team responded after the Wallkill inmate was found unresponsive on a bathroom floor and two officers became sick during the incident
The Attorney General charged Garrett Smead with indecent assault, unlawful restraint and indecent exposure
If realized, the numbers would near or surpass Corrections’ 16-year record, further straining the General Fund as prisons consume a growing share of the budget
The CO was monitoring inmates leaving the mess hall when an inmate walked past him, doubled back and hit him in the stomach with a makeshift weapon
How lessons from COVID-19 are shaping the next evolution in PPE for law enforcement, fire, EMS and corrections
Plastic fans, lighter padlocks and revamped mail processing are among measures aimed at limiting weapons and contraband
Proactive thinking and clear justification are key to managing force incidents and protecting both staff and inmates
The officer was hit in the eyes and mouth and required medical treatment and disease monitoring, S.C. DOC officials said
Officers in community corrections face real risks of being followed — here’s how to stay aware, confirm suspicions, and respond safely
The fight at Northeast New Mexico Correctional Facility began after injured inmates shouted threats, prompting a second wave of violence that ended with an inmate stabbed in the chest
The 19-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to custodial assault and harassment in two separate 2024 incidents at Green Hill School
The legislation is part of a broader effort to address chemical exposures in correctional facilities
One officer suffered multiple leg fractures, another sustained a concussion and others were treated for back, neck and knee injuries
The AWOL designation used during the strike violated FMLA and harmed correctional officers and their families, Rep. Elise Stefanik said in a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor
One officer required 17 stitches to his scalp and another seven to his face after the inmate attacked them with a ceramic scalpel
An inmate at Cheshire Correctional Institution threw searing hot coffee at the correctional officer and attempted to slash his face with a shank during meal time
Fulton County Sheriff Labat says the main facility is so overcrowded and deteriorated that more deaths are inevitable without help from city jail beds
St. Louis Correctional Facility correctional officers report assaults, lockdowns and homemade weapons as Level V inmates are housed in lower-level units due to a bed shortage
Sheriff Pat Labat said commissioners’ refusal to fully rebuild the jail ignores federal findings of unsafe staffing, poor supervision and inhumane conditions
Reducing risk without adding staff or complicated protocols
Two Wallens Ridge State Prison officers were stabbed multiple times and a third was assaulted in the incident
The Allegheny County Jail correctional officers’ union says shackles are needed to prevent escapes during hospital trips
The San Quentin tragedy reminds us that small lapses in security can open the door to violence and loss of life
A practical guide to interpreting urine color for maintaining optimal hydration
From paddleboarding and kayaking to fishing in remote areas, discover the gear, training and self-defense strategies outdoor enthusiasts need to stay safe on the water
Harnessing data to protect staff, improve outcomes and streamline operations
The man allegedly grabbed a correctional officer by the throat, punched him in the face and knocked off his glasses, then struck him three to four more times
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