Recent Comments
25 comments found
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Sep 11, 2009
Steelheader
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This article has hit home very well. I will be sharing this with my new officers. Verbal skills are one of the most important skils that you carry into work everyday in this type of setting. They are also skills that will become more polished over the years. This advice is some of the best I have read in a while. Thanks |
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Sep 09, 2009
warden
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Article: The Road to Safety: Training Issues Gentlemen: Total agreement regarding the training issues. Generalized training is time lost with little gained. Real-time, site specific, address-the-issues training is what needs to be defined and then implemented. In my opinion, the idea of smaller blocks of training being given throughout the year rather than one yearly 24 hour block of in-service training is the better approach. It better emphasizes the training at hand and allows the trainee to grasp the intended message of the training rather than switching gears to get ready for the next topic. Also, hands-on-training is always the best way to go - beats the classroom/rote approach every time. |
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Sep 08, 2009
Kellie
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Article: Staying S.A.N.E. Terrific information!!! If you have worked in Corrections for any period of time you do indeed live in the "yellow" normally. Most people do not understand and for the most part will never understand this. It just does not seem to be something that you can turn off without trying. It is unhealthy to live life at "yellow", think Diatbetes, heart problems, sleep problems and the like. The S.A.N.E. method is great and I will use it. (I could have used it this weekend) I find that activities that force you to single task lowers that state to green if even for a short time. I scuba dive, knit, read and run. I find really hard workouts if even for 30 minutes drops me into that green for a long period of time because I forget my job for a while and focus either on how beautiful the sites were or what I have accomoplished. Simply forcing yourself to become a tourist can also work. Remember.....we are not our job, the outside world is not trying to harm us or our family, your neighbors are not against you. Leave it at work and you will be much happier! I also try not to socialize with people that only want to rehash work or tell war stories. Oh, I also do not tell others what I do for a living unless pressed. I usually say "wildlife management". We tend to be the center of attention because our job is novel. |
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Sep 08, 2009
Kate
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This is a fantastic article. I hope to work in a prison in the future as a therapist for the inmates, and this kind of wisdom is invaluable. Thank you for your sage advice! |
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Sep 05, 2009
carlosbrewer
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Mr. President why are the banking,and loan company not making loans as you promised they would do for the american people we are all hurting and not getting any help. Time for them to answer to you for not helping us the little people that keep them in business, maybe we should boycott their business. Check http://www.obamamortgagerelief.org/. |
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Sep 04, 2009
Best Jail.com
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Article: Seduction’s Slippery Slope I am a female and I have been doing this job for 17 years and I work with men and would rather work with men than females. Since you don't work in this environment then you really don't have a right to voice and opinion. We as women are aware that we don't have the physical strength as a man. Our job doesn consist of force for every incident so anything verbal we can handle it and maybe even better than a male officer. Men feel intiminated by other men and will sometimes respond to them differently than they will with a female officer that they don't feel intimidated by. Interpersonal Skills are promoted by management instead of force. There are female officers that some men would rather have than some of the male officers. As far as being manipulated into doing things against the rules my policy is say no and find out later if its approved by management. Normally inmates know what is allowed and what is not and they will try you but you suppose to be in charge not them. I always say to them why would you want me to do something that would make me lose my job. This usually put them on the spot and then they back off. All those compliments and helpfulness means nothing to me and as long as they don't go over board I ignore it, but as soon and the compliments go over the line I correct it right there and they get the message. I'm sure most female officers have been tried and I believe more have then not have handled their business and got the inmate straight. Further more women inmates try to manipulate you more so than males with their kids, crying, and their buddy buddy one minute and your enemy the next minute. I personally don't like working with them. |
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Sep 02, 2009
Chuck
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This is an often overlooked area of expertise. It is amazing how much we convey by facial expressions and body language. In my humble opinion, every correctional worker needs to be schooled in how to present themselves and how to read offender body language. Critical situations could be difused at times before they escalate if the telegraphed postures were better understood. This could be a very potent weapon in the correctional worker's arsenal. Hopefully, those that are good at this will share their talents with those that are lacking that skill. |
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Sep 02, 2009
warden
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Unfortunately that headline may read, "Cuyahoga County to lay off..." very soon. |
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Sep 02, 2009
bippieh
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Article: Seduction’s Slippery Slope I am in school for criminal justice right. I am working on my BA. I I have known a few CO's who have fallen at work and lost the several years they have worked to build a retirement. I always wondered how a CO could be fooled by an inmate. They are behind bars. The job is for security. After reading this article it has become a little more real to me. It seems as though there should be on going education in this rena to equip CO's as they comer into contact with the "player". When my husband got a job as CO he informed that the marriage splits were very high in the Co circle. I always felt uncomfortable with my husband working with females. I have written this before, and I know the whole deal of working to make a living, but it seems as though the odds are against a female working a males dorm from the very beginning. Even when my husband was military I was always uncomfortable when he ws working with females so slosely for instance in the first Iraq war, Desert Storm. It seems the female and not to be unkind because I am also a female, but it seems like the males will compromise their position. It seems very natural to me for a man to protect a female much quicker than a male. It seems males cover each other backs but females woul hinder the male soldiers from making responsible dicisions in a war zone while females are present and the same for a facility. The male Co's could so easily compromise their are of responsibility to protect a female. I know women can be as strong as men but that is not often and when a female is she has spent a serious amount of time working out, running etc.I do not know just my personal opinion. I am not slamming women for working we need to provide for our famulies. But this article above had an element of reality and I feel the logic of what I am thinking has some reality. I may be 100% wrong, what do you think? |
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Sep 02, 2009
bippieh
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Article: Seduction’s Slippery Slope I am in school for criminal justice right. I am working on my BA. I I have known a few CO's who have fallen at work and lost the several years they have worked to build a retirement. I always wondered how a CO could be fooled by an inmate. They are behind bars. The job is for security. After reading this article it has become a little more real to me. It seems as though there should be on going education in this rena to equip CO's as they comer into contact with the "player". When my husband got a job as CO he informed that the marriage splits were very high in the Co circle. I always felt uncomfortable with my husband working with females. I have written this before, and I know the whole deal of working to make a living, but it seems as though the odds are against a female working a males dorm from the very beginning. Even when my husband was military I was always uncomfortable when he ws working with females so slosely for instance in the first Iraq war, Desert Storm. It seems the female and not to be unkind because I am also a female, but it seems like the males will compromise their position. It seems very natural to me for a man to protect a female much quicker than a male. It seems males cover each other backs but females woul hinder the male soldiers from making responsible dicisions in a war zone while females are present and the same for a facility. The male Co's could so easily compromise their are of responsibility to protect a female. I know women can be as strong as men but that is not often and when a female is she has spent a serious amount of time working out, running etc.I do not know just my personal opinion. I am not slamming women for working we need to provide for our famulies. But this article above had an element of reality and I feel the logic of what I am thinking has some reality. I may be 100% wrong, what do you think? |
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Sep 01, 2009
warden
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Article: The Evolution of Security Threat Groups into the Twenty-First Century - Part II Throughout the criminal justice system STG's are flourishing. The gang culture in prisons is expanding to county jails at an ever increasing rate, which means it returns to the streets and grows stronger as Corrections endeavors to promote Re-Entry throughout the system. Early identification of these individuals and communication between agencies is essential for control within the institutions. Outside, knowing who is who is a leg up, but they are not controlled within four walls. What is the answer? Wish I knew! |
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Aug 30, 2009
charlena
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I'm the mother of one of the inmates that was injured and hospitalized as a result of the riot that took place on Aug. 8th 2009. I have personally never been an inmate of the state prison system but, I am far to fimilar with what takes place behind those walls.Chino prison is going to take a whole lot more than just a new warden to correct years of overcrowding, substandard medical treatment, numerous violations concerning fire, health and safety codes and a corrupt mentality of more than half the C/O's that are employed at the facility. At this very moment my son in on lock down as is every other inmate. These inmates still have rights although limited, are NOT on lock down as a disaplinary messure but, as a safety messure. They are not allowing showers, visits,stationary items or even given the oppertunity to purchase hygene items at the least from commasary. Stripping the inmates from all rights.I just can't see a possitive outcome in any of this. Even the inmates in the hole get to spend $40.00 of thier book money a week to shop and allowed one visit a week. This shouldn't be a result of the inmates actions but a result of years of NEGLECT, POOR MANAGEMENT and years of conditioning inmates to become what they have. Now that the public eye is on the reality of whats taken place you expect to pass the blame on the inmates? Well, I don't personally care if it takes the rest of my life but,I will see a class action suite won on behalf of those inmates that will have long term scaring as a result of the Chino Riot. Inmates may be out of sight but, to this woman they are NEVER EVER out of mind. |
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Aug 26, 2009
Best Jail.com
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Thats what always happen when security is run by those who are not certified correctional officers. |
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Aug 26, 2009
mrzred1
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Article: New Details on C.I.A. Prisoner Abuse I am a future employee entering into corrections. Im now in school getting my assoicates in Criminal Justice. Based on the article i have read i dont commend the agent for what he/she did, but i wouldnt punish him/her for what was done niether. Think about it, many lives was saved he/she did what was absolutely neccessary to save many lives so why punish him/her. If he/she acted like they didnt care about the human life (what then). Me personally to the agent or agents have my deepest congradualation on a job well done its about time some body has gotten on their job and has done the right thing doing it. Please dont punish him/her it was only a act of judgement to protect innocent lives, so if thats a reason to punish then what would be a way to congrad. on a job well done. |
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Aug 26, 2009
centella
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Article: Women as corrections professionals Bravo for all the female who work in correction, why? Because must of them work better than the male officers doing great work. Stamina and desire to get the same respect level and recognition in one of the best hostile environment work. |
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Aug 26, 2009
centella
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Article: The Evolution of Security Threat Groups into the Twenty-First Century - Part II Many times we are complaining about how this types of groups works, but Most the time we are responsible for the action and rules of this group, the Violence promoted by the government and other authorities, which well Know how they work and where they are and not action being taken at all to eradicated The way on which this prototype groups work, Afraid to take action, government Promote that kind of people without a proper background and investigation. |
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Aug 26, 2009
krentner
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Article: The Evolution of Security Threat Groups into the Twenty-First Century - Part II I thought only the leftists blamed School of the Americas for all of the evils of Latin America, i.e., right wing dictatorships. Now you are blaming them for "beheadings, torture, kidnapping, senseless killing of innocent children and adults." The U.S. military has never taught such subjects at School of the Americas. It and its successor, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, have, in fact placed much emphasis on teaching the Rules of War and the value of democratic principles. |
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Aug 21, 2009
annonymus
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Article: California prison system 'collapsing under its own weight,' Schwarzenegger says The law makers have known of the overcrowding for 20 years, why now are they willing to attempt to do something about it? Maybe think about "private prisons"... i know i know not everyone is perfect and the california state systems has proved it... but swallow you guys' pride and look into it.I'm not for the inmates but if you want to stop the sewer from leaking you gotta find the leak and fix it. |
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Aug 21, 2009
Best Jail.com
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Joe we all sometimes lose sight of where we work and become lacks. Its like we come to work day in and day out and nothing happens and then one day usually right at shift change there is an explosion and then its like we transform.I have been told by several people that they couldn't do my job and I tell them somebody got to do it which they agree. You are right there is always something brewing dow under ready to boil over if not with inmates with staff. There is 24 hours in a day and at least 14 of those days we spend 12 of those 24 hours with them. A half of day with inmates and staff is a lot of time for serious differences to develope and inmate manipulation. When we leave after spending all that time looking, watching, listening, tuning out, intervening as well as being aware of our surroundings when we leave and go outside these walls we take all this with us. I know some of you have been told the same thing I have "I'm not a inmate you can't talk to me that way" which we find nothing wrong with the way we are talking. The bottom line we are not here for what happens but we are here for what might happen.We are like super heros until someone needs help they are just ordinary people but at the sign of danger they transform. |
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Aug 20, 2009
Jon
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Article: Leaders vs. Managers? Effective leadership is difficult to maintain in corrections, simply becasue of the nature of the beast. Many positions are appointed and seldom is there ever a legitimate application process. This does not necessarily mean the people who are appointed lack any leadership abilities or should be viewed in a negative light. Ultimately, the issue of leadership counts when it comes to defining who is being led. I think if administrators and corrections professionals focus more on leading the offender population in the right direction, then our real mission can be accomplished. |
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Aug 17, 2009
ChronoTrigger
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Article: Determining Anchor Points for Sex Offenders Using GPS Data http://www.oncefallen.com/GPS.html In addition to being costly and subject to a myriad of inaccuracy issues, they do not prevent sex crimes from occurring. Its merely another feel good measure. |
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Aug 13, 2009
zabranskya
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I really liked this article. Good job Joe~ |
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Aug 12, 2009
Kellie
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Article: Two Sheets of Music I totally agree that Corrections Officers must be involved with anything but crime and law enfocement when you are not at work. I don't watch TV, rarely watch the news. This field can become so all consuming that it is dangerous. We live a higher level of awareness for long periods of time. I don't think most of us even realise that when we feel relaxed we are at a level of awareness that most people find "keyed up" which is far from normal. You must surround yourself with people that you can trust and become involved in activities that make you single task because it is so task loaded that you have to think of nothing but the task at hand...climbing is an example. Surround yourself with people who are positive and have nothing to do with the criminal justice system. Read books, listen or play music, become involved with children, charity,hard workouts....I could go on for hours. This is my personal policy.....I limit my time spent with co-workers when not at work. I do not want to talk shop when I am not at work. I don't tell people what I do for a living as it forces you to be the center of attention and everyone wants war stories. I like to be with people that have nothing to do with the system. I am very carful how I spend my free time. It must be positive, improve me in some way, or improve my community. I have to be reminded that there are good people out in the world. I have to fight the "everyone has been to jail" syndrome. That is my sign that I am past the realistic line in my head. I also advocate for massage therapy. Find a massage therapist that you totally trust and get a massage at least once a month. I use to get a massage every week, monitary issues have changed that, but it really helps. |
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Aug 12, 2009
Gunfighter
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Article: Risk Indicators for Misconduct My intent was not to create mistrust amoung society but to identify those officers whom have "indicators" to fall into patterns of misconduct. Through my articles on "God Complex" and all the articles on my sight as if pretains to misconduct they all help identify the bad apples in the barrel. I could have added thousands of article snipits as it related to correctional officer misconduct and I am sure you know a few officers personally. Our retention rate is 20% and that means 80% of all officers hired do not make thier one year probation period. Now that may not be for misconduct but a large number is. You are right about correctional officers are the forgotton cops of the law enforcement community and I have seen the road from both sides of the fence. I was a police officer for ten years and now a correctional officer for twelve. I think we are on the same side of this dicussion but that is the purpose of the article to create discussion and shake up the status of the society of corrections. |
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Aug 12, 2009
Neal
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What kept me alive was the ability to connect with and engage my hostage-taker in a real, honest conversation, listening to his rationale for his actions, and expressing appropriate empathy for his situation. He ended up placing the knife in my hand. |
