PRISONER EXPRESS

First we would have to look at the word corrections. What does it mean? If we look at it in a way the word means to fix or to straighten out. An officer has to be wiling to make an effort in changing people's lives. The offender needs someone to follow so when they get out, they too can become a good neighbor.

An officer needs to make a good role model for the offenders. They need to live their lives on the streets like we have been told how we should live. They need to respect the rules and abide by them like the offender. They need to show fairness to each offender and not turn one aside with a cold shoulder. An officer is not only an officer. They are also a counselor, a chaplain, and of course the enforcer. An officer plays many different roles and at times they would have to play many at one time.

An officer needs to be a good listener. They have to be ready to listen to an offender. The officer needs to remember that they control the offender's daily life. The officers will tell them where to go, when to go, and how to get there, In order to find out what needs to be done for the offender and while listening to them they should have an open mind.

At times an officer has to be aggressive when there seems to be trouble. An officer should never show fear no matter what is happening. They have to continually have an attitude of staying in control. An officer sometimes has to be passive. When someone who curses at the officer for no reason, they have to stand back and do nothing when degrading words are directed towards them, because of the title they carry. An officer needs to be assertive in their jobs. Just sitting there watching locked up people isn't enough. Sometimes, they may have to stick their necks out. An officer needs to be strong in mind. Strong enough that no matter what's going on they will do their job to the fullest.

Family problems. A lot of officers will argue with their spouses and then carry that attitude to work. This brings more stress to the offenders. The offenders already have stress on them by not being able to control their own lives. When there is more added stress then there are the bad attitudes. Family problems and attitudes need to stay at the gate.

There are some people who have a personality that no one wants to be around. The offender can deal with that. Why? Because they are the same every day and mad at all times. A good officer would have to be one way or the other and not in between. The offenders cannot stand changes. They get a routine and they stay in it. But, when a little change takes place the offender notices and this brings on more attitude and stress. A good officer will be alert. They would watch out for guards. Not all offenders will do it, but there are some who will take advantage of any situation. They, the offenders, will use any weakness that an officer has. The weakness would be used to get to the office for special privileges so alertness is a must.

When one looks at a correctional officer like I do, sometimes I see a person I have depended on at any given situation. The offender is always looking at the officer, so the officer has to take the lead.

Now there is an over extreme officer. This officer has a special name, which is called, "super cop" or "robo cop." This is someone who stirs up trouble when there is peace. This here is one who has an I don't care attitude. When a person is interested in becoming an officer they need to examine themselves first. By using questions like, is my life good enough to show those who are locked up? Can I care enough to help them? There are just two questions to ask yourself.