I Just want to even the pace a little, especially after reading a letter i received today. I think it is easy to criticize, because the negative is quick to make good news and reading, but i also want to recognize the good many do who work in corrections. Today like i said i received mail, in the letter in part my mate talks about the "fundraiser" (outside food purchased) that had taken place in his unit and that he is on the committy for. More people participated in this fundraiser than any other to date in that facility and more money made for the charity than previously. Roughly 137 guys participated in his unit alone and it would not of happened if it not for those CO's and others working in corrections that VOLUNTEERED their time. In his words......
"there was a lady working in our unit, she has a reputation of a hard ass, she was walking around writing guys up if they were sharing. She even went so far as to call the Sgt on duty and have him come over to our unit saying that so many were sharing and she wanted to close the day room and make us all cell in........"
End result ......"Then he said to all of us......make sure no one is disrespecting the staff or talking back...then....i know no one is sharing food out here because that is against the rules. When she walked away he said.....she's leaving in 30 minutes just don't be so obvious ok."
I could share many things that have happened to me personally and those i have met along the way, but what about you, have you experienced any great people working in corrections that have helped you?
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The Major was so impressed with the cleaning and service work that Hubby and the other guys on his shift did for the most recent ACA assessment, that they got the baker to make the guys a cake as a thank you.
I've always thought that inmates and COs don't have "only" antagonistic relationships. Like every thing else, it seems that only the bad ones or the bad interactions so often make the headlines or forums because they are full of drama. Even if you watch Lockup, you see many COs who say they love their job and working with the guys. They're not all mean, angry, jaded, out to bust heads.
My pp doesn't talk about it much but I have heard him have many decent interactions with passing COs while he's on the phone with me. I'd be willing to be there's more of that than the constant antagonism that makes for good TV.
I always say that if there were newspapers that only printed "The Good News" there would be lots...
I have to agree with [B]gooddog [/B] that TV protrays the antagonistic inmate guard relationships. During my time in prison I found that the majority of guards are hard-working, decent people. They have to impose the rules they are told to do. Granted some we lazy or pains at times. But I found that most were just doing their job. And doing their job sometimes meant that they had to exercise their authority. Some were better at that than others.
I know that I have met guards that became, if not friends, people that I could talk with and have an good relationship (for lack of better terms). One guard in particular in Missouri was a former professor from college and we'd sit in the control room shooting the breeze in the evening. Even stopped by at his house after I was released for a BBQ. Now that was not the norm, but I had very few run in with "bad" guards. Maybe, maybe it was just my attitude that we should all be able to get along, even if we do not see eye to eye on issues.
So, the next time you think about the guards, give them a break cause they have to work in a dangerous place, in a place that exsists because people like me could not live a law abiding life. Most are doing the best they can in conditions that are not condusive to cooperation and trust.