Good Ol boys club

[king310]

It has come to past that as things change that some things never change.
The good ol boys of the work site have ruled on how things seem to get down. Even if things that might not be right or ethical That it is line staff who are put in harms way everyday.
Inmates who seem to threaten law suits and or who inform seem to do less lockup time or are given special treatment. On the other hand inmates who have not been in any trouble or cause any problems may have their investigation drug out for months and then if nothing was ever developed from the investigation the inmate will sit some more untill they think it is safe.This breeds contempt and hate toward the system and,line staff.

Problem it not only involves inmates but staff as well.
Staff who come to work and never cause a problem, show up on time, miss little sick time, and work well with peers seem to have a more dificult time getting promoted or even getting vacation time for special events. We have seen the one who gets any time off they need with no relief.
Also we notice the ones who are always in trouble and need to be let go from the job always seem to hang on. They are always seen drinking with the ones who make those major dicisions. This also breeds hate and contempt towards the system.
Strange how the GOOD OL BOY's CLUB seems to work.
BE A TOTAL SCREW UP AND DRINK WITH THE BOSS'S AND YOU'LL BE OK.........
THREATEN LAW SUIT OR INFORM YOU'LL BE OK

Hmmmmmm! don't seem to be much difference between inmates and some staff.
This may sound like a general bitch but the problem as it may be is that it does create tension between staff and inmates. The officer who does his work to the best of his ability is the one who will get hurt by the inconsistency that has been develpoped by those who can change it.

[JKT]

Sounds all too familiar....

Here, we have the "Writ-writers" that have the majority of the Officers walking on eggshells by threatening to sue every other breath. We also have the gang-bangers who intimidate (or try to) everyone they come in contact with. And don't forget the inmates that will try to provoke an Officer into a physical reaction just so they can file a lawsuit.

We had an inmate disciplinary hearing where the inmate was antagonistic throughout the entire hearing. When the decision was handed down (privelidges removed for a period of time, etc) he went ballistic! It took three Officers to escort him back to his cell, handcuffed, then to one of the violent cells because he tried to strike the Officers. All this time, he was yelling that he was going to sue, etc. Not to mention the racist remarks (he was black). The only little catch, that he didn't seem to realize, was that he was ON VIDEO TAPE the whole time! We thought that something like this might happen, so the hearing was taped. All the comments and his rants and actions were on tape. Didn't do a whole lot for his credibility on that one.

We also have the Officers that are so hard ***** that some of the old hands don't want to work with them, and they can't get any cooperation from the inmates; the IBF's (inmate's best friends) that will bend over backwards, bend (and break) policy, and generally do anything they can to keep from getting the inmates upset (wah!).

I've found that firm but fair works for me most of them time, but most of all consistency is the key. If you tell an inmate you are going to do something, then do it; or if you tell you'll get back to them with an answer to a question, tell them that, then follow through with it. In other words, don't lie to them. They will see through it.

And don't forget the Administration that doesn't really know what is going on in the confinement areas, but dictate policy anyway (without checking on what the REAL situation is).

Get this...an administrator had a job application from an individual and wanted the secretary to call him for a pre-interview. Now this admin type is not from this area and has no experience in this facility. When the secretary heard the name and repeated it, an Officer in the front office heard it, and told the administrator "If you want to talk to him, he's in holding right now". The administrator STILL wanted to talk to him, until he was shown the inmates' folder and CCH.

Seems like it doesn't matter what state or county detention facility you work in, things are very, very similar.

I'm not a supervisor, but I am in a position to see and hear these things all too often.

Sorry about the rant, but "I feel your pain".

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Optimistic pessimist: Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Jack

[This message has been edited by JKT (edited 01-08-2001).]

[WSmith]

Originally posted by JKT:
Seems like it doesn't matter what state or county detention facility you work in, things are very, very similar.


By all means, don't leave us Feds out of this one http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif I was going to ask if we worked at the same place. Sounds WAY too familiar.

[JKT]

WSmith, sorry, I should have said "Any jail or prison".

We house some of "your guys" overnight a couple of times per week. The BOP Officers seem to like our low tolerance for BS. We seem to be a place where they like to bring Federal inmates after prison uprisings, when they break up the groups.

BTW, welcome to the forums. Stick around, thing can get interesting in here http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Optimistic pessimist: Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Jack

[WSmith]

Originally posted by JKT:
The BOP Officers seem to like our low tolerance for BS. We seem to be a place where they like to bring Federal inmates after prison uprisings, when they break up the groups.


Yes, I certainly like watching other agencies deal with inmates. It is a different style. We have to be "kinder and gentler" http://www.officer.com/ubb/redface.gif Geez, just look at our uniforms and that should say it all http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif


BTW, welcome to the forums. Stick around, thing can get interesting in here http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


Thanks. I can imagine. http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by WSmith (edited 01-11-2001).]

[ARMORER]

Thangs are basically the same all over as far as I can see-just coming out of our Restrictive Housing Unit and at least my Chief says F**k them if they screw up we nail them-and they don't raise cain in our house lol we have a strip cell and some people that want nothang more than to lay one down and yes on Vid too

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Come on over to Liberty County http://pub12.ezboard.com/bdocsplace