Ask a Correctional Officer anything

454 Questions

Last Answer on February 10, 2022

I know an educated man, wrongfully convicted. One particular CO is harassing him at every opportunity. Can this inmate do anything to improve relations? The inmate does not flaunt the rules and does not know why he has been targeted.

Asked by in Boston over 6 years ago

My first response would to be that you are being jerked around by this "educated, wrongfully convicted" man. As far as I know every modern penal system has a system where an inmate can complain about treatment by staff, and many have an Inspector General that can accept complaints that will be anonymous, at least to those the complaint is made against. My GUESS, based on inadequate information, is that you are being manipulated by the prisoner. I could be wrong. I find it hard to understand WHY a prison staffer would deliberately harass an inmate who does not break the rules and does behave himself. It is not impossible, but I find the premise to be highly questionable. (Admittedly I may be prejudiced.)

573 Votes

Have you ever seen mistreatment or even abuse by staff to inmates?

Asked by Cain over 6 years ago

Inappropriate treatment, yes. Abuse, no. I wrote two people up over the years for it. I am sure it happens more than that, but people who are going to beat on prisoners tend to do it when nobody is looking.

567 Votes

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Did you work with mostly male or female inmates

Asked by Ali about 6 years ago

Personally I worked exclusively with male prisoners.

566 Votes

What happens when someone with a disability goes to prison?

Asked by 56 over 6 years ago

There are more and more disabled people entering the prison system. Obviously if a person has a severe disability and can not care for themselves they tend to be placed in a hospital setting. That being said there are a LOT of people in wheel chairs or with major hearing or vision problems who are in the prison system. Each person has to be evaluated on an individual basis. There have been cases of people who became fully disabled while in prison and who were placed in a rehab facility under guard until the system could come up with something to do with them.

564 Votes

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Why did they choose corrections for a field of employment?

Asked by K Roar over 6 years ago

Who is "they?"

561 Votes

In prison what would be the best way to avoid being some inmate's kid? Go for protective custody?

Asked by Neal Bracken about 6 years ago

Best way is to avoid prison. After that it becomes dicey. It depends a lot on which "group" you are in. You can join a gang that does not approve of such things and get some protection in exchange for your soul. You can go the "crazy" route and you MAY be left alone. You can request protective custody, but generally you can not STAY in PC because you are afraid somebody MIGHT rape you. Prisons are unpleasant places and contain many unpleasant people. Also, if you are big, mean and a proficient fighter that helps. Very few people can go that route successfully, but it does happen.

561 Votes

Thx, but no, I am not being jerked around. He says all other COs are fine, just 1 guy bullies him. He is scared to complain.

Asked by in Boston over 6 years ago

If he is scared to complain I don't see a lot of options. Either he complains, or you complain on his behalf (which, assuming he is right, will not insulate him from problems) or he puts up with it. Sometimes in the real world there are no good answers.

561 Votes