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Essay: "What Makes a Good Prison Guard"

by Porcha Sweeney
Without order in the beautiful planet we call earth there will be a mass of chaos. This also applies to the world within a world that is labeled as prison. Just as the president governs and even the urban peace officers are relied upon in society to balance the peace, in prison we have what one calls "guards" or correctional officers.

Prison is not all filled with a horde of honest, pure; happy go lucky, always smiling incarcerated men and women. NO! But neither is everyone incarcerated, dishonest, corrupt, and mad at the world. I say this in honesty also for a prison guard.

You must understand that to be a correctional officer in some institutions is to risk ones life. So what does it take in the rational mind of the non-judgmental human to be able to carry on this duty in a proper un-biased manner?

Now before your mind travels to answer this serious question let me remind you that overseeing a prison population can have a hectic (and I mean hectic) psychological effect on ones emotions and actions. It can affect you to a point where you can act out in anger and hatred that you never thought now knew you ever had. With that being said, I will give you my view and opinion from experience on what makes a good corrections officer.

First is to realize that yes it is only a job. A guard that comprehends this will come to work knowing spiritually, mentally and physically that I am only here to do my job. Second is to have heart in looking at an unwise, depressive, restrictive and so much of the time, confused man or woman. This is so deeply important because when a prisoner tends to lash out from confusion or depression and the state of being under vast restriction; you as a correctional officer must communicate in the best professional manner.

Communication, this is a very potent word. Some can do it with the greatest of ease, but many have such difficulty in the art of communication. In prison communication goes a long way. It can prevent unnecessary actions; just as it can help the environment calm, cool and collected.

My utmost opinion is to be easy. Yes, I know this may sound absurd, but it's as good as aspirin for a headache. When one can be easy he seems to be floating and not have a worry in this world. He smiles, he greets, and he gives thanks. This energy is very powerful in the most hostile of environments. So take it from the inside looking out (a prisoner); if your goal is to be a humane correctional officer, please be wise of these words.