Sunday, November 27, 2005
PARANOID: GOOD OFFICER, MISTRUSTING PERSON
The writer of this email captures beautifully an aspect of Corrections Fatigue, the gradual negative changes in the person due to the nature of correctional work.
I thought I would share a recent experience with you that is indicative of the way people become when they work in Corrections.
The other night at work I noticed an inmate duress alarm (a red light that glows on a control panel) shortly after my shift had started. The off-going officer had neglected to pass this on when I relieved him, probably because the inmate had activated it for some frivolous reason. Sometimes inmates do that. They may act like needing a roll of toilet paper or wanting a phone call is an emergency. So, I notified the Officer in charge of the Unit and we checked it out. Of course, the inmate was fast asleep in his bunk, and we deactivated the duress alarm. Why did we respond? Because the moment we don't some inmate is trying to commit suicide, having a heart attack, or is having a seizure. No matter how an inmate may behave, we are still committed and duty-bound to preserve his life.
The next day, while at Dairy Queen, I came across a ladies purse. I opened it to see if there was anything of value inside. There was a wad of money totaling $70.00 and a driver's license belonging to an eighteen-year-old girl. I went to the register and asked an employee if anyone had asked for a lost purse. I was told no but they would be happy to hold onto it if the person came back. I immediately didn't trust the young man behind the register to do the right thing. I politely stated that I would try to find the girl's phone number and call her. I was not successful in getting a phone number, so I drove to the address listed on the driver's license. When I reached the address I met the girl and gave her the purse with the money and I.D. inside. She thanked me and I left. As soon as I sat down in my car, I got this horrible foreboding feeling. Like, was that the same girl as who was on the I.D.? Did I go to the right address? Did that kid just con me?
You see, being a good Correctional Officer often times leaves you questioning what you just did or didn't see, what you just did or forgot to do. What you just checked or forgot to check. It contaminates your personal life. You do the very same thing to people in free society and to your family. Often times I find this thoroughness very cumbersome and I notice that others in the free world find it offensive.
Feel free to publish these thoughts. I am sure that there are others out there like me. At work, it is doing a good job. Off of work, it is neurotic and a person can feel abnormal. I guess I would like to share with the others that they are not alone.
I thought I would share a recent experience with you that is indicative of the way people become when they work in Corrections.
The other night at work I noticed an inmate duress alarm (a red light that glows on a control panel) shortly after my shift had started. The off-going officer had neglected to pass this on when I relieved him, probably because the inmate had activated it for some frivolous reason. Sometimes inmates do that. They may act like needing a roll of toilet paper or wanting a phone call is an emergency. So, I notified the Officer in charge of the Unit and we checked it out. Of course, the inmate was fast asleep in his bunk, and we deactivated the duress alarm. Why did we respond? Because the moment we don't some inmate is trying to commit suicide, having a heart attack, or is having a seizure. No matter how an inmate may behave, we are still committed and duty-bound to preserve his life.
The next day, while at Dairy Queen, I came across a ladies purse. I opened it to see if there was anything of value inside. There was a wad of money totaling $70.00 and a driver's license belonging to an eighteen-year-old girl. I went to the register and asked an employee if anyone had asked for a lost purse. I was told no but they would be happy to hold onto it if the person came back. I immediately didn't trust the young man behind the register to do the right thing. I politely stated that I would try to find the girl's phone number and call her. I was not successful in getting a phone number, so I drove to the address listed on the driver's license. When I reached the address I met the girl and gave her the purse with the money and I.D. inside. She thanked me and I left. As soon as I sat down in my car, I got this horrible foreboding feeling. Like, was that the same girl as who was on the I.D.? Did I go to the right address? Did that kid just con me?
You see, being a good Correctional Officer often times leaves you questioning what you just did or didn't see, what you just did or forgot to do. What you just checked or forgot to check. It contaminates your personal life. You do the very same thing to people in free society and to your family. Often times I find this thoroughness very cumbersome and I notice that others in the free world find it offensive.
Feel free to publish these thoughts. I am sure that there are others out there like me. At work, it is doing a good job. Off of work, it is neurotic and a person can feel abnormal. I guess I would like to share with the others that they are not alone.
CRY FOR HELP
The following email was sent to us by a correctional officer. It describes in graphic terms what staff deal with behind the walls.
Two inmates got into a fight in the housing unit. The inmate who was hurt was rushed to the hospital. If he lives, it will be a miracle. I was alone on a post where two are normally assigned. I scrambled to do the job by myself. Thank God, no staff was injured! I was wired all night long. For investigative purposes, the inmate's blood was left on the floor, so everyone who walks into that unit today will be traumatized by the gruesome display of violence that occurred there.
I know that inmates are violent, and that they are in prison for a reason. We all scoff at another one being taken off of the count, and we are thankful it was not staff. But the thought of another human being meeting his end or suffering through such an ordeal haunts my thoughts. I think about the ones I care for, and how I would feel if something like that ever happened to one of them. Even though they are convicts, it bothers me.
I pray for God's wisdom and peace to go back in today. I pray that it won't happen again today. I pray that my #2 (coworker) is not pulled (off his post). What if I don't do as good of a job next time? Please God, guide my hands and my mind when I react, help me do a good job. That is what I say when I bow my head before I walk into the dungeon. I thought I would share this with you. Please share it with the others in your organization. If they pray, have them pray for us all. Last night I saw the toll this is taking on our supervisors and administration too. I can see the creases of stress across their faces. My heart is going out to them. They feel like they are losing control. I want to help them, but I don't know what I can do other than do my job the best I know how.
Two inmates got into a fight in the housing unit. The inmate who was hurt was rushed to the hospital. If he lives, it will be a miracle. I was alone on a post where two are normally assigned. I scrambled to do the job by myself. Thank God, no staff was injured! I was wired all night long. For investigative purposes, the inmate's blood was left on the floor, so everyone who walks into that unit today will be traumatized by the gruesome display of violence that occurred there.
I know that inmates are violent, and that they are in prison for a reason. We all scoff at another one being taken off of the count, and we are thankful it was not staff. But the thought of another human being meeting his end or suffering through such an ordeal haunts my thoughts. I think about the ones I care for, and how I would feel if something like that ever happened to one of them. Even though they are convicts, it bothers me.
I pray for God's wisdom and peace to go back in today. I pray that it won't happen again today. I pray that my #2 (coworker) is not pulled (off his post). What if I don't do as good of a job next time? Please God, guide my hands and my mind when I react, help me do a good job. That is what I say when I bow my head before I walk into the dungeon. I thought I would share this with you. Please share it with the others in your organization. If they pray, have them pray for us all. Last night I saw the toll this is taking on our supervisors and administration too. I can see the creases of stress across their faces. My heart is going out to them. They feel like they are losing control. I want to help them, but I don't know what I can do other than do my job the best I know how.
