That was a great post. I did Juvenile Corrections for awhile and then later worked for the Feds at their local Halfway House for adults. While I was in college I had to do a paper and I chose to do interviews at one of the prisons here (same one Swattie works for). I interviewed 3 inmates in the Med. Block. I was escorted out by one of the Admin. Walking through the Yard to my destination was fine but coming back the Yard was filled with inmates. I couldn't get out fast enough! I kept looking around for CO's but could only see the ones in the towers. That's when I decided to go to the Juvenile Sector. But Juvies aren't the greatest either. Most of them were teachable. It was the admin that I couldn't take.
The prison where where Swattie works has been known for (as most are) attacking the CO's. Last time it was a young female. From what I heard she will never be able to work again. She was in the library when it happened. The inmates physically attacked her and raped her.

Thanks. I spoke with your hubby yesterday. I've been doing this for 10 years now. the last 9 at the same prison. I've seen alot of changes in our prison system in the last few years. Most in my opinion are for the worse. The Admin. is trying to weaken us as the CO's and inmates seem to get preference over us almost all the time. It's also become obvious that the Admin. are happy to have little moles working in the facilities to make up vicious rumors and try to get people fired and or removed from their positions. The Admin. is almost our worst enemy inside these days. It's sad that an inmate can get staff removed from a position with a mere, unfounded rumor. If we (the Officers) try to correct an inmate when they have done wrong, they can cry about harrassment and the staff are investigated to the fullest extent without the officer/s involved ever getting questioned. It happens all the time in our system. I'm sure Swattie has seen this first hand himself. I believe you must have a healthy amount of fear when entering inside the fences. It's what keeps you alive. Not fear that causes you to freeze in time of need but the kind that only makes you respond quicker, hit harder, and pay attention to your surroundings at all times. I wouldn't trade what I've learned over the last 10 years working in Corrections. I've learned so much about human behavior, on both sides of the fences, and how to keep a level head even when it seems that everyone else is losing theirs. As I told your hubby, It gets in our blood.

The private indstries are starting to run the prisons. After all prisons are a big business.

What I know about prisons is limited to TV, the movies and a few strange friends who have been there--on the OTHER side of the bars. I guess I suffer from some of the same misconceptions that everyone does, like prison guard are sadistic, beat prisoners, turn their backs when prisoners are beaten or rapped, etc. I can see I need to learn a little.

Just off the top of my head, I don't see how you can do a good job and stay safe when the admin. won't support you. Seems like the boss is more dangerous than the prisoners!

And once it gets in your blood it's there! I worked at AJCF (Atchison Juvenile Correction Facility). I had more problems from the Admin than the juvies. One in particular. We, the CO's who were AROUND the Juvies ALL the time KNEW what was going on. This one kids who was 13 was in for murder of his step mom. She told him he couldn't go to a party (go fig!). He had this thing against ALL female. This one time I called for back up it took 6 ADULTS and a "Burrito Wrap" to get him to Lock Up. He came after me with some cleaner and a broom. I was told after work by my co worker that he was told if he ever called for this juvie to be sent to lock up that he would be fired. I couldn't believe that until one day I sent him BACK for being "stupid" and when I left the head admin saw him at lock up. The juvie was asked what he wanted and he replied "I want back to Redwood and I want ******* (my last name) transfered". The next day when I checked in I found out I was transfered. That was the last straw. ALL the CO's who were with this juvie knew he needed to be sent to Larned. But the Admin said he was "fine". The day that I was transfered was the day I quit. I threw my badge at my boss and told him he could keep the job! Their were about 12 people that quit in TWO WEEKS because of this juvie and the Admin. A month after I quit I found out they moved the juvie to Larned. Go fig, the CO's WERE right.

SaraJ
We are professionals and have to be. We are not knuckle dragging gorrillas who don't care what happens as long as we get a paycheck. It seems that inmates have more rights than staff do in today's prison system. And you are right. The Admin. makes it more dangerous for us by making uneducated decisions every day. Most are in their positions because they have degrees not true line officer experience. We still do our jobs and do them well. We just have obstacles to cross over every day we do them.

Swattie's wife
I know your dilemma all too well. There are inmates in our system that get prefferential treatment by our Admin every day. It's sad that the inmates are more important than the officers.

My hat comes off and I want to say THANK YOU for what you do.

I can put the bad guy in jail but, there is no way I could do what you do!

Smile

I used to have a joke when I worked at the Juvenile Detention Center. My husband was with our local Sheriff Office at the time. I would say "he caught them and I kept them." He brought a male juvie in. I slipped and said "hi, Babe." OOPS! My husband had to JUMP threw a window to take him in custody. LOL I told this juvie that "he was the NICE one!!" Not once did I have a problem with him!

When I was at the Halfway House I needed something so I asked my husband ON HIS WAY TO WORK to bring it to me. Oh my gosh! You should have seen how all the "residents" were acting. They were wondering WHO was being picked up! LOL I didn't think my husband was "scary" in his Sheriff's uniform! I guess I was wrong! HEHE What's wierd is while working there I was the only one NOT afraid of Dorm 7 or the "Mafia Man". The "Mafia Man" wasn't used to being TOLD what to do. It was like my 3rd week there. Dishes needed done and nobody would ask him. So, I told him that if he wanted to eat lunch he'd better get down stairs to wash the dishes! THEN I find out who he is! After he was done he came and told me he respected me for making him do something. The others were afraid of him. I just thought he was some "old guy". LOL

my husband and I were very fortunate to be able to work at the same narcotic task force even though we were in different agencies for a short time. ...... What I wouldn't give for those good old days. My agency will be taking over our local jail here in October. I will have a big role in placements, backgrounds and training. Any tips or suggestions you can provide would be wonderful.

So far we are going through the interview process and WOW are they suppose to be inmates or applicants?