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.
Use these tips to identify hazards in the workplace and ensure your safety while engaging with clients
Sheriff: “These dirtbags thought they could attack or order an attack on another inmate and not get caught.”
12-year CO described violence, low morale and mandates at the facility that recently transitioned to county control
The Bureau of Prisons director points to rising drone drops, including a case at FCI Fort Dix where staff intercepted a drone drop carrying a 46-pound laundry bag filled with contraband
Maintaining order involves more than just searching and counting inmates and performing inspections. It involves understanding your inmate population
One officer suffered a fractured rib, another was sexually assaulted and others were beaten after slipping on soap-covered floors, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said
State investigators say the inmates used shivs to repeatedly stab Iowa State Penitentiary officers in the neck, throat, head, back and sides
Multiple Auburn corrections officers were treated at the hospital after inmates threw or sprayed urine- and feces-smelling liquids in four separate incidents
The loss of roughly 2,600 corrections officers since the 2025 strike continues to strain operations across 42 New York prisons
Understand the tools, triggers and tactics of manipulation to guard against the “click and whirr”
The inmate slammed the CO head-first into the ground, causing his body to go limp, court documents state
Splashed with bodily fluids and forced into double shifts, N.J. corrections officers say unsafe conditions and lack of support are driving many out of the job
The inmate, serving time for murder, assaulted a 56-year-old correctional corporal at Idaho Maximum Security Institution
$18/hour starting CO pay is leading to 24% annual turnover and 50% vacancy rate, Secretary of Adult Corrections tells lawmakers
As the FCC moves to allow state and local agencies to jam contraband phones, research shows the technology brings real trade-offs corrections leaders cannot ignore
Recent escapes and officer misconduct show where leadership oversight breaks down first
The fight at Washington State Prison in Georgia left 12 other inmates hospitalized
Officer Robert McFarland was killed by two inmates using hammers and a metal grinder during a failed escape attempt that his widow says was preventable
Modern transport demands real-time visibility, better documentation and consistent communication
The widow of Officer Andrew Lansing says the inmate had repeatedly violated rules and threatened violence without consequence
From mass jailbreaks to fatal transport failures, a year of escapes exposed how routine, convenience and overlooked risks continue to undermine public safety and officer safety
A former River North Correctional Center lieutenant warned that unsafe conditions could lead to staff injuries or deaths as staffing shortages and safety lapses mounted
The Massachusetts DOC-State Police Task Force has intercepted synthetic cannabinoids, Suboxone, fentanyl and heroin in 26 recent cases across state prisons
Former and current employees cite poor support, lack of training and 16-hour shifts as contributing factors to escalating safety issues
A Pima County corrections officer was left alone with inmate Nathan Peru, who slipped his wrist restraint and tried to grab her gun
Modern transport demands real-time visibility, better documentation and consistent communication
The former Pendleton inmate struck a corrections officer multiple times and placed him in a chokehold before being restrained
The correctional officer was injured while attempting to photograph the inmate for documentation
Andy’s Law, named in honor of Officer Andrew Lansing who was killed by an inmate, mandates up to life without parole for murdering a correctional employee and aims to deter inmate violence