Stand up and be counted - OFFICERS!!!

[all4114all]

Originally Posted by Grandma

I've got inmates that start tucking their shirts in as soon as they see me now. It's a small thing but they're doing it. Yep, we've got to remember that a lot of the problems can begin and end with US. We set the tone for the shift, the unit, the compound.

This site has really helped to refocus me on what's important about my job. Doing the little things, so the big things don't happen and we can all go home after 8hrs.

Hats off to Area51!!

Exactly! Inmates know who expects what from them. In fact, last week I walked into the lobby where a couple inmates were hanging out. I just stood and looked at them. They took a look at me and walked outside. One of my staff said I wish I could just look at them and they do what they are supposed to. I told her, They do what they know they are supposed to becasue they know I expect it. Now, obviously when I am not there, it is probably the same ole same ole, but at least I am doing what is right.

[Area51]

Originally Posted by all4114all

Exactly! Inmates know who expects what from them. In fact, last week I walked into the lobby where a couple inmates were hanging out. I just stood and looked at them. They took a look at me and walked outside. One of my staff said I wish I could just look at them and they do what they are supposed to. I told her, They do what they know they are supposed to becasue they know I expect it. Now, obviously when I am not there, it is probably the same ole same ole, but at least I am doing what is right.

If you have been around for a bit, and called inmates on their dress, behavior, obvious rule infractions, and MADE it a point to let them know...

Yes, when you stand and look at them... They know what it is for... And will address it accordingly...

If he is new, his "buddy" will clue him pretty quick...

I can walk through the unit when I first get my keys, many of the inmates will get up and turn the TV's off... They know I'm not going for the TV's on during the day... I will cut them some slack about 310 - 3:20 in the afternoon... by then the day is about over with and many of the crews are starting to come in...

Give and take... You can do your job without being overbearing with it.

[Area51]

It double posted so I deleted it, sorry guys....

Since I have started to make inmates walk instead of gathering in front of the units and making them remove their headphones from their head on the moves (so they can actually hear you when you talk to them) many are doing it on their own. The are getting tired of being told to do it as they walk by me.

I have saw other staff watching me and they are beginning to catch on. Not all, but some are starting to notice and are joining in...

Picked up a new GS-8 from a USP (took a bust for his wife, I think he came from the HUT), we had a body alarm yesterday. He had inmates hitting the ground as he went by...

He wants to try to implement it in to our practice, This way you don't have to guess who is involved and you don't have to push your way through them.

He got word that he is filling one of our empty GS-11 slots. I think he is going to be good for us.

Welcome Aboard LT!

[GUNNER]

Originally Posted by Area51

He had inmates hitting the ground as he went by...

Welcome Aboard LT!

Is this not normal where you are at? At our joint if we have a body alarm they better be hitting the ground. If you are in my way, you get knocked down. All inmates are to go down at the tower warning signal. Most of us in a housing unit will clear out front porches and have our units inmates come back inside until the BA is cleared, therefore having as many as possible off the compound and isolated and locked into a smaller area.

[Grandma]

Originally Posted by GUNNER

Is this not normal where you are at? At our joint if we have a body alarm they better be hitting the ground. If you are in my way, you get knocked down. All inmates are to go down at the tower warning signal. Most of us in a housing unit will clear out front porches and have our units inmates come back inside until the BA is cleared, therefore having as many as possible off the compound and isolated and locked into a smaller area.

It's not normal where I'm at either. They at least know enough to get out of the way. I had a nurse complaining about being heckled by inmates while nursing staff was running to a code 45 on our rec yard. (it happened on my days off) She was spouting that the Lt should've locked somebody up. I told her that I agreed, but that maybe nursing staff could've grabbed a couple inmates to be locked up to make a point of their own. She looked at me like I was crazy. Hey, it doesn't help to just bitch. You/we have to do something ourselves to make changes. This attitude that we can all stand around and bitch because things are wrong in the BOP, is getting old. Do what you can to change what you can, come up with solutions instead of just bitching.

We've actually had uninvolved staff watching a situation being handled, standing right next to the inmates gawking!! It isn't the officers doing this! Could y'all remember where the heck you're at and help us out??? I won't work over in the mental health building anymore, just because of this. Crap gets started between staff and a mental health inmate, and when the inmate starts getting abusive or loud, then the staff hollers for an officer and makes themselves scarce. I've had to deal with an irate inmate, talk him down, then turn around and have 5 nurses looking at me from behind the glass in the nurses station. Once the inmate calmed down, then the nurse that originally had the problem comes out to tell me what happened. if you need back-up, hey no problem, but don't go hide while I deal with the inmate you got in a pissing match with!! All the staff at that point were female. I turned around and looked at them, and just couldn't believe it. I'm not exactly a large hulking female. I handled the inmate, what the heck was wrong with them???

Whew, sorry, I needed to vent worse than I thought....

[bigspenc]

I agree 100% with "AREA51" first entry,,,,,,,,,,,, HOWEVER ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

On this part of his quote he is 100% correct, it rests on CORRECTIONAL SERVICES and CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS shoulders to effect the changes we need in our institutions

I DO NOT agree with this statement. THIS IS FOR EVER-BODY inside your institution. From Correctional Services, to Facilities, UNICOR, Unit Teams, etc.....

You all have to come together and just do the J.O.B.

And what I mean is: If a Unit Manager sees an inmate that they feel needs to be shook down, don't run to a Correctional Officer and tell them to shake him/her down. That Unit Manager should do it witht the back up of any Officer/Staff walking by. Don't rely so heavely on the CO, everyone is responsible for the security of the institution.

I will step down from the podium now. Thank you for your support.

[jschroer316]

Present and accounted for. Excellent ideas. As a witness to what a safe institution looks like, and how incomptence and arrogance can topple safety and get someone killed, I agree Spence..

[Jbuttram209]

I thought everyone in the BOP was correctional staff, so why is it so hard for a unit manager to shake someone down? They all get to golf during correctional workers week, so why can't they correct something too. I agree with the subject of these posts, but calling everyone corrections just kinda ticks me off.

[Jbuttram209]

Spenc can attest that back in the good days at ATW it was not uncommon to see the Facilities manager, or Unit management staff helping out during mainline, or even see unit team out during movements, just watching, or giving a hand.

I sure miss the good old days. We had a team atmosphere that included not only corrections, but most of the facility was on board with the program.

[bigspenc]

Originally Posted by Jbuttram209

Spenc can attest that back in the good days at ATW it was not uncommon to see the Facilities manager, or Unit management staff helping out during mainline, or even see unit team out during movements, just watching, or giving a hand.

I sure miss the good old days. We had a team atmosphere that included not only corrections, but most of the facility was on board with the program.

GOD I SURE MISS THE OLD DAYS, when we used ax handles!!!