Stab proof vests?

FedChickFromKs · 08-23-2007, 10:52 PM

Do any of you work at a facility that requires staff to wear stab proof vests?

Our Union is trying to get our warden to buy vests for all the staff. Mind you, I am working at a LOW security institution. I have worked in Penitentiaries for about 18 years and never felt that I needed a vest for protection.

I would love to hear everyone else's opinion on this.

AZCorrections84 · 08-23-2007, 11:20 PM

Yes, we do, and they are in disrepair. But we work in a level 5, supermax facility. We're not allowed to take our inserts home with us, but the vests are ours to keep.

conkicker241 · 08-24-2007, 03:10 AM

No stab vests in Oklahoma, that I am aware of. Oklahoma DOC is too cheap for that. But then again I have been at a work center for several years, and Have been out of the mix.

keykeeper · 08-24-2007, 10:54 AM

At Eastern Correctional Institution, a medium security facility in Md., where I work all staff who work segregation are required to wear stab vest.

Bobshouse · 08-24-2007, 01:47 PM

Why a stab proof vest? More than likely the inmate will go for the throat. Maybe we should all walk around in one of these?

Cory · 08-24-2007, 03:10 PM

Please stop posting pics of me in uniform.. it is embarassing.

co1669 · 08-24-2007, 03:23 PM

We were issued brand spanking new stab/slash proof vests and ballistic vests last year.In the jails you have to wear the stab/slash vests and on hospital runs and in my div.(transportation) you have to be out of your mind not to wear the ballistic.

Bobshouse · 08-24-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory

Please stop posting pics of me in uniform.. it is embarassing.

You really need to shine those shoes mister! We gotta keep our image sharp and be a good example for our cons! LOL!

Actually I posted that above as a joke, but in all reality 90% of the killings we had at Lompoc during my tenure were throat stabs and cuts.

When Officer Williams was killed, it was a stab in the neck. The inmate also hit 3 others, 2 in the neck and one in the chest.

If wearing a stab proof vest gives you confidence and allows you to perform your job better, its a great investment. Most stab proof vests are maid of chain link material and will not stop an ice pick type weapon, again, which are used alot by convicts as they are easier to conceil and transport.

Many of our "shanks" were made of bedsprings and pieces of chainlink fence from the recreation cages. Sissyshanks were, in my opinion, the most dangerous weapon of all, as most metal detectors would not pick up the small razor blade. Inmates used to carry the blades in their mouth between the cheek and gum or in their hair.

When I first started the first killing I responded to was with a sissy shank and the inmate was all but decapitated because the killer couldnt cut through his spinal cord.

Be safe out there and watch each others backs...remember, its us against them. We have to do our job and keep our lives going. All they have to do is watch us and learn our weaknesses, 24 hours a day.

AZCorrections84 · 08-24-2007, 04:38 PM

Yeah, honestly the stab vest to me is a false sense of hope, a security blanket if you will. It basically shows them where to NOT stab me...they can always go for the sides, neck, arms, and face basically. But I don't mind wearing them because I can put all my gear in them, ha.

Big Bwana Jake · 08-24-2007, 05:25 PM

Bob I agree with you for the most part, but I have seen as all officers that have been around for a couple of days, the shank is a MANY splended thing. They come in all shapes and sizes. Just be on your toes out there, team!