Remember, Your Job Is Not To Punish Inmates
We recently saw a post on TikTok from a recently hired prison guard seeking advice. This person also happened to be young, which means starting on the right foot and finding positive influences is even more important.
Here’s what we have to say about that.
If you’re just getting started in corrections, you were probably attracted by the government pension and the benefits. Government jobs are known for usually having generous benefit packages, which is important for familial security.
Now, a good correctional officer doesn’t forget that an inmate going to prison, be it federal or state prison, is the punishment. Being away from our families, losing our jobs and sometimes careers, losing our time and money, having to start over – that’s punishment enough.
So, if you have inmates that are doing what they’re supposed to do and not making your job tougher, there’s no reason to make our lives any tougher.
There’s no reason to come in and play supercop. When inmates see you role playing as The Punisher on your shift, the assumption is that you were bullied throughout your life, and now you have a captive audience to take out all your pent-up teenage angst.
If you want to play a big bad police officer, go be one. There are police departments and federal law enforcement agencies desperately hiring all around the country.
Leave corrections for people who want to change lives, as it should be. And, there are some BOP employees who actively do want to make sure inmates re-enter society as improved versions of their former selves.
If that’s your motivation for working in corrections, that’s great – bring that attitude to prison every day. Be a positive role model for your coworkers.
The reality is, most inmates are caught, they serve their time, and they go back into the world. We already know that longer and harsher sentences don’t improve outcomes or decrease crime rates. So, wouldn’t you rather be a positive influence for inmates to empower themselves and be excited to do the right thing when they go home?
If so, you’re the right person for the job.