NCJ Number
59117
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
SITUATIONS IN WHICH CORRECTIONAL WORKERS CAN BE HURT AND EVEN KILLED BY INMATES ARE DRAMATICALLY ILLUSTRATED IN THIS FILM, POINTING OUT PROCEDURES OFFICERS CAN EMPLOY TO PREVENT DANGER AND PERSONAL HARM.
Abstract
EACH YEAR HUNDREDS OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ARE KILLED OR MAIMED BY INMATES. IN MANY OF THESE INSTANCES, THE CORRECTIONAL WORKER COULD HAVE AVOIDED BECOMING A VICTIM BY FOLLOWING A FEW SIMPLE GUIDELINES. THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER SHOULD KNOW THE CHARACTER OF THE INMATE HE IS GUARDING, WHETHER VIOLENT BEHAVIOR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN A PROBLEM. THE OFFICER SHOULD AVOID WALKING WITHIN ARMS' DISTANCE OF PRISON BARS, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT; HE SHOULD WALK ON AN INMATE'S RIGHT HAND SIDE AND BEHIND HIM; AND TWO OFFICERS SHOULD ESCORT A DANGEROUS PRISONER. TO BREAK UP A FIGHT, OFFICERS SHOULD WALK TO THE SCENE, OBSERVE THE DISTURBANCE, AND TOUCH THE PARTICIPANTS LIGHTLY. THE OFFICER SHOULD ALWAYS MOVE SLOWLY AND TALK SOFTLY TO PROVIDE THE INMATE WITH AN ESCAPE AND TO LOOK FOR ONE HIMSELF. DURING A CONFRONTATION, THE OFFICER SHOULD CALL FOR HELP BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO HANDLE THE SITUATION ALONE. WHEN HANDCUFFING AN INMATE, ARMS SHOULD BE BEHIND THE INMATES BACK; OTHERWISE, THE INMATE COULD USE HIS MANACLED HANDS AS A WEAPON. ALSO, OFFICERS SHOULD PRACTICE PROCEDURES FOR ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE OR IN TIMES OF RIOT, REQUIRING KNOWLEDGE OF PRISON LAYOUT. OTHER TECHNIQUES OF WALKING IN A CELL BLOCK AND CONDUCTING A CELL SEARCH ARE DEPICTED. (WJR)