How do you view correctional officers?
I was watching the remake of "The Longest Yard" the other day. I must say, I laughed for a good part of the film. But one thing stuck in my mind. Why is that correctional officers are always portrayed in such a poor light? Even in the best of circumstances CO's are still the bad guys. In the Green Mile a CO is a good guy, as is the worst kind of bad guy. I have been involved in many many situations running from mild to wild, and have never witnessed such brutality, hate and degredation.
Nobody grows up wanting to be a correctional officer. Police are more favorable. Most people find corrections as a means to an end, or simply a paycheck. Yet everyday CO's put themselves against ever increasingly evil people. A cop may need to subdue one or two criminals, for a short period of time, until they are processed and locked-up. However correctional officers usually stand, outnumbered 96- 1 on a tier, for at least eight hour shifts where overtime isn't already mandatory due to staffing shortages. Do you think the criminals, the convicts don't see that? They know more about our staffing problems then we do. At any time they can take the prison. Rest assured they will not keep it. But they know they can take it.
Assaults are increasing, not something Mary-anne Saars would like to announce, since she has changed the criteria for an assault on an officer to make it look like her and Gov. Ehrlichs beloved "project restart" (AKA project hug-a-thug) is actually working. At the same time shutting down legislation that would make the throwing/spraying/projecting of bodily fluids on an officer a felony. Again, why would we need this kind of legislation if "restart" was so effective. So the bill died in committee.
I go on too long, I know. But it's just a little slap in the face to always see hard working people, with morals and ethics, portrayed as brutal savage reckless children. I have yet to see a movie/TV show that gets it right. Granted in the past behavior may have reflected the possibility of such actions, it has not been that way for years and years. Ever seen HBO's 'OZ'? Or 'Prison Break'? They're not even close. If that is what Hollywood calls glamarization, who needs it? We already have a hard enough time hiring new people, and keeping new-hires. Staffing has never been so low. Thank God for a warden that understands the neccesity of staffing.
I'll stop now. have to get ready for work. Seven more days starts now! Joy!
ECI's Mission statement:
Mission:--The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services protects the public, its employees, and detainees and offenders under its supervision.
Vision:--Dedicated to strengthening public safety in our communities, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services will reduce criminal behavior and improve the quality of life for all Marylanders through its diverse programs, services, and community partnerships. The Department will continuously support its employees who will provide experienced, professional leadership in the criminal justice community and be nationally recognized for excellence.
posted by Z-Man @ 9:38 AM
1 Comments:
I usually view them through the bars, they don't let me out too often.. I think that it is horrible that the prison is so understaffed, you should all be armed heavily and trained to kill! Or they should just lock down the tiers until they have enough CO's to make everyone more comfortable. I don't recall anything stating that prisoners required anything other than not to be mistreated, and if you give them meals and such that they need to live, they can't say they are being misstreated, right?! I think that if you've fdone the crime you do the time, and in that statement TIME is just that, wait inyour cell until we are staffed and can further assist you.... I think CO's are cool!
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