Handling Problematic Inmates: Strategies and Methods Used by Corrections Officers

Managing inmates who pose consistent issues is a critical responsibility of corrections officers. This task involves a range of strategies and methods designed to maintain order and security within a correctional facility. In this article, we will explore these methods and the impact they have on problematic inmates.

Documentation and Administrative Penalties

The primary method used to address recurrent problematic behavior is the “shot.” A shot is a documented write-up on the inmate's bad behavior. The consequences for receiving a shot can be severe, including:

Time in Solitary Confinement: Isolating the inmate to allow reflection on their actions. Loss of Good Time: Reducing the time that inmates can earn for good behavior. Loss of Phone or Commissary Privileges: Limiting the inmate's communication and access to personal items. Extra Duty: Assigning additional work to the inmate as a form of punishment.

These measures aim to curb disruptive behavior and ensure compliance with correctional facility policies.

Cell Searches and Contraband Management

A common method used by officers to address problematic inmates is searching cells. This process can involve:

Ripping Apart Cells: Inmates are often required to clean up after a thorough search, which can be detrimental to their hygiene and well-being. Taking Contraband Items: Anything deemed inappropriate can be confiscated, leading to loss of personal belongings. Detecting Hidden Contraband: Inmates who hide contraband items risk receiving a shot or additional punishment.

These actions serve as a form of retribution and usually result in increased stress and inconvenience for the inmate.

Administrative Segregation

In cases of severe and consistent threats to security, inmates may be placed in administrative segregation. This isolation removes inmates from the general population and typically includes:

No Privileges: Inmates have minimal access to personal items, phone, and recreational activities. Humane Bare Minimum Necessities: Meeting the most basic requirements for survival, such as food, water, and a place to sleep.

Administrative segregation is used as a last resort to ensure the safety and order of the correctional facility. It imposes significant limitations on inmate autonomy and daily life, making it a severe form of punishment.

Individualized Methods of Dealing

Each corrections officer may have unique methods of handling problematic inmates, based on their personal tolerance levels and past experiences. These methods can range from lenient to severe, and they often adapt to individual inmate profiles. However, the effectiveness of these methods in addressing the problem is often questionable, as these actions rarely impact the correctional staff. Cases that involve assaulting staff are subject to heightened security measures, including:

Permanent Restrictions: Limiting an inmate's ability to interact with staff and visitors. Enhanced Monitoring: Increasing surveillance to prevent future incidents.

These precautions aim to protect staff and reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.

While these methods can be effective in maintaining order, they also illustrate the challenges faced by corrections officers in managing inmate behavior and ensuring the safety of the correctional facility.