orejon4
Well-Known Member
Seriously? Wow.
This is ridiculous. The kind of crap you had to put up with must have been amazing.
Mugshot of Felon has Social Media 'swooning'
- Thread starter Bliss
- Start date
Seriously? Wow.
This is ridiculous. The kind of crap you had to put up with must have been amazing.
It's not unusual. Being a Corrections Officer is like being a member of the Old Boy Network. In my case when I was one at Florida State Prison, the Good Ole' Boy Network. These guys love their job so much, they would throw anyone under the bus to maintain it's integrity. Prison is an environment of deception, anger and hate. It takes a special person to really work there. But, what I had learned from the academy was to always recognize who your friends are and whom are not. Not many women worked in FSP(except in the control room, the main office or the infirmary). I had problems with my fellow officers and inmates. I worked a lot of double-shifts and was not paid for any of them. They just gave me a day off before my days off(or I would work four or six hours of that day before. If one is not suited for that world, they shouldn't be there. That is what I had learned after 8 months there. I remember not being able to sleep nights, stuttering when I try to speak to friends on the streets, the pressure to be a professional when all around me was not and get home safely. Though, we were not supposed to give the impression that officers "do their eight and hit the gate" to the inmates and the other officers. We have to provide the inmates care, custody and control. That was our job.
orejon4
Well-Known Member
That job sounds like it certainly took an emotional toll after a while. Glad you came out of it okay.
GQ Brotha
New Member
LOL @ good ole boys in polyester uniform and a badge and the chicken chokers.
I hear you on the small town mentality of folks, especially for a white woman that likes black men in such a setting. A white woman has got to be real assertive and have thick skin in such places.
Although I am out, I still look back to those days and months. On the day I resigned(at the suggestion of my sergeant), my sergeant, who was also retiring that day, told me, "Reid, you'll never forget your time here." I was relieved that day. I remember going to my tae kwon do dojang for a testing ceremony(the masters were present that day). I did my forms, although I had an awkward moment during testing and it was caught on video. After that was done, I went and ordered a large Hungry Howie's Pizza and a 2 liter soda. I ate and slept like the dead.
RicardoCooper
Well-Known Member
TRUTH.
Yeah, they gave me hell all the time, but I had my ways of dealing with it. Rather than take the shit, I'd sling it right back at 'em. It was like some messed up mind game they were playing, but I got good at outplaying them. They did their damnedest to break me, but I refused to let it happen. Some of them eventually developed a begrudging respect for me and quit messing with me, and those who didn't pretty much had no respect for anyone who didn't kiss their asses. I remember telling a sergeant (he always called me n-lover when no one else was around) who said he'd find a way to get rid of me that I wasn't going to let him run me off...I told him I'd even stick around just to piss him off. lol
Sounds like it took a huge toll on you, G. You're right, it's definitely not a job for everyone, and I'm sure it was a huge relief for you to get away from there.
Yep, small towns are often filled with small minds. Assertiveness and a thick skin are definitely necessities, and it's a good thing I have both qualities.
Yeah, they gave me hell all the time, but I had my ways of dealing with it. Rather than take the shit, I'd sling it right back at 'em. It was like some messed up mind game they were playing, but I got good at outplaying them. They did their damnedest to break me, but I refused to let it happen. Some of them eventually developed a begrudging respect for me and quit messing with me, and those who didn't pretty much had no respect for anyone who didn't kiss their asses. I remember telling a sergeant (he always called me n-lover when no one else was around) who said he'd find a way to get rid of me that I wasn't going to let him run me off...I told him I'd even stick around just to piss him off. lol
Sounds like it took a huge toll on you, G. You're right, it's definitely not a job for everyone, and I'm sure it was a huge relief for you to get away from there.
Yep, small towns are often filled with small minds. Assertiveness and a thick skin are definitely necessities, and it's a good thing I have both qualities.
I used to dread listening to Elvis Presley sing Jailhouse Rock(I love listening to the oldies) on the way to work(although I didn't mind listening to it after work). I was so relieved I said two quotes as I drove home that day;
"From Hell's heart, I stab at thee. And for hate's sake, I spit thy last breath at thee." That was from Moby Dick. Captain Ahab said it.
And... "Yippee Kiyay, motherfucker!" John McClane- Die Hard.
I didn't want to do it, believe me. I had plans to cross-train into law enforcement. It was a very hard decision to make considering the circumstances. I had been the butt of many jokes among the control room staff. I had learned that if your fellow officers don't like you as well as the inmates, you're in danger. You're in a very hostile environment. I remember the director of the area I was in giving me the last discussion I would ever have with him. He reminded me of my first day. "You've heard of Wayne's World? Well, this is the other world." I told me that I was not the strongest officer but I was the most reliable. When I went to turn in my radio, chits and cuffs, the control room Sergeant looked at me in a cold manner while he gave me instructions about turning in my uniform and other equipment. He wished me luck. I told my family about my resignation. My mother was very thankful. My father was very disappointed in me because he thought it was a good job with great benefits(working for the state has its advantages, but you have to live in order to enjoy them). He was very angry with me. I told him that I was not tempered like he was. But that didn't matter. I was just glad to be out. But then, I found out the money I had saved in my credit union account was drained because I did not complete my probationary period(it is in the contract) I had saved a little over $1,500 and the state took over $900.00. A friend of mine told me many times that that job was not for me at all. It wasn't. But I had the chance to look into a world I had only seen in movies and television or read about in books. It made me appreciate the freedom that I had and still have.
orejon4
Well-Known Member
Yeah, they gave me hell all the time, but I had my ways of dealing with it. Rather than take the shit, I'd sling it right back at 'em. It was like some messed up mind game they were playing, but I got good at outplaying them. They did their damnedest to break me, but I refused to let it happen. Some of them eventually developed a begrudging respect for me and quit messing with me, and those who didn't pretty much had no respect for anyone who didn't kiss their asses. I remember telling a sergeant (he always called me n-lover when no one else was around) who said he'd find a way to get rid of me that I wasn't going to let him run me off...I told him I'd even stick around just to piss him off. lol
Yep, small towns are often filled with small minds. Assertiveness and a thick skin are definitely necessities, and it's a good thing I have both qualities.
Wow. It's amazing that you had the thick skin to deal with that. I have no tolerance for that crap and a limited ability to deal. I don't think I could have made it.
Wow, man. That's intense. I don't get why people play these fricking games, regardless of their own racism or personal views. I just want to do my hours and get the hell out. I have no enthusiasm for making it worse than it already is.
Mikey
Well-Known Member
Even though you're right, regardless of what area it is, it feels as if there are plenty of people (no matter what their race and gender is) that ended up having a legal issue or a brush with the authorities for things beyond traffic stops or traffic tickets. It makes us question the moral quality of the citizenry in the entire country.
I could actually pull up an example from your own state - the Deltopia Spring Party or whatever it is:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way...break-party-morphs-into-riot-in-santa-barbara
A whole bunch of people were taken in by the police and I bet there were women that liked those guys or rushed to their defense.
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orejon4
Well-Known Member
On the contrary, it makes me question the moral quality and authority of society's institutions, if a person can have their life chances fundamentally altered by a minor mistake.
Mikey
Well-Known Member
You're right. Looks like we'll have restructure the institutions and the people.
That's a pretty big task, how do we do that?
orejon4
Well-Known Member
You're right. Looks like we'll have restructure the institutions and the people.
That's a pretty big task, how do we do that?
Changing the views of an entire society is a HUGE undertaking. So many different races, cultures and views make any single approach insufficient. I guess we have to do work on a lot of fronts.
Bliss
Well-Known Member
Very Interesting reads, Tam and Gorath. My Best friend did 2 years as a C.O while on furlough from her primary profession.
Interestingly, she had a different experience…
Her main issue was how horribly most of the senior Black female CO’s treated her. And there were several reasons ‘why“...
One, they had their ‘clique’. (My girlfriend was the wrong color).
Two, she was (is) gorgeous with a killer-watt smile, thick long dark hair, tanned…and the Black male inmates would often compliment her. Well, they didn’t like that.
Three, she was fair with the inmates, and they didn‘t like that, either. She never denied them their basic human Rights, which she said was often violated by plenty female CO’s who plain abused their positions of power. She relayed they would often deny them simple requests they were entitled to (eg TOILET PAPER). Basically they would outright ignore the prisoners on their shifts…and tend to them at their leisure. She said they would bark and yell at them constantly, and cruelly insult them at every turn.
In essence, they subjugated and emasculated them (when they weren’t trying to get with the pretty boys - CO‘s routinely sexually messed with inmates they found attractive).
My BFF’s approach on the other hand, was, “don’t give me a hard time and I won’t give you one”. This worked and she never, ever had any problems or incidents, and was well liked by the inmates for her fair treatment of them. She found it deplorable how the others treated the prisoners.
Her final straw was when she applied for a promotion (and won) after less than a year, having spotted a lucrative position available in the Administrative Department of the Prison system…well, was systematically harassed for it. Despite the fact that the job required a degree, which she had, yet those seniors objecting to her application didn’t have. (which is why they lost their Union appeals)
She eventually was called back to her primary job the following year, but it didn’t come fast enough for her, I can tell you. She was utterly MISERABLE because of her first year co-worker’s harassment of her, and she is always such an upbeat friendly person. First job EVER that my BFF didn’t win over co-workers. I am so glad she got out of there. It was changing her.
Interestingly, she had a different experience…
Her main issue was how horribly most of the senior Black female CO’s treated her. And there were several reasons ‘why“...
One, they had their ‘clique’. (My girlfriend was the wrong color).
Two, she was (is) gorgeous with a killer-watt smile, thick long dark hair, tanned…and the Black male inmates would often compliment her. Well, they didn’t like that.
Three, she was fair with the inmates, and they didn‘t like that, either. She never denied them their basic human Rights, which she said was often violated by plenty female CO’s who plain abused their positions of power. She relayed they would often deny them simple requests they were entitled to (eg TOILET PAPER). Basically they would outright ignore the prisoners on their shifts…and tend to them at their leisure. She said they would bark and yell at them constantly, and cruelly insult them at every turn.
In essence, they subjugated and emasculated them (when they weren’t trying to get with the pretty boys - CO‘s routinely sexually messed with inmates they found attractive).
My BFF’s approach on the other hand, was, “don’t give me a hard time and I won’t give you one”. This worked and she never, ever had any problems or incidents, and was well liked by the inmates for her fair treatment of them. She found it deplorable how the others treated the prisoners.
Her final straw was when she applied for a promotion (and won) after less than a year, having spotted a lucrative position available in the Administrative Department of the Prison system…well, was systematically harassed for it. Despite the fact that the job required a degree, which she had, yet those seniors objecting to her application didn’t have. (which is why they lost their Union appeals)
She eventually was called back to her primary job the following year, but it didn’t come fast enough for her, I can tell you. She was utterly MISERABLE because of her first year co-worker’s harassment of her, and she is always such an upbeat friendly person. First job EVER that my BFF didn’t win over co-workers. I am so glad she got out of there. It was changing her.
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Inside, you will encounter a few cliques, subgroups, fiefdoms and the like. They are watching you. And so are the inmates. The inmates have all day to do that. They watch you and observe how you react. And then, they decide what action they will take with you. It is either, to show you respect, or to play you like a harp from hell. Sometimes, an officer would side with an inmate before they would side with a fellow officer. Sometimes a senior officer would test you with what we call inside, Boo Games. Scare tactics to see how you would react if the scariest guy in the joint made an action toward you, the officer. I had heard many inmate complaints and the only thing I could do was to listen. One day, I and another officer were in the dining hall and we were talking to an inmate who had a regular job of cleaning it up alone. But he was removed from that detail. Someone made up some bogus story to have him removed. As he described his ordeal, he began to cry. At that moment, I felt sorry for the inmate. Some time before, he told me that he was once a powerful gang leader in Miami. He had homes, cars, money and power. What made him so fear to his underlings and people around him was his temper. And it was an explosive temper from what he told me. He had a drug deal in a public park...in daylight. The deal went sour and he shot the guy whom he was dealing with. The guy walked until he got into his car. The leader, with gun in hand followed his victim as he climbed into the car. The leader continued to fire until he was empty. He was the man on the streets, but inside, he was meek. Years later, while I was working at the church, I met the cousin of the victim. She remembers him, too. What a hell of a coincidence. Like I had mentioned before, prison is an environment of deception, anger and hate. The moment you step through the gates to get to your post, your life is in danger. Inmates can make crude edged weapons called shanks. Or make a zip gun from a pen(all they need is one .22 caliber bullet), an acid made with strong laundry detergent and urine, garrots from strips of clothing, or soaked toilet paper that has been formed and dried over time. I worked in the kitchen, an area that is just as dangerous as a prison wing because of its spaciousness. Lots of potential weapons in there. And if there is a riot(the DOC doesn't like the word riot, they prefer institutional disturbance), we are locked in and on our own until help arrives(if ever it does). We have to fight to the death. An inmate tried to scare me with that scenario. I told him and another, " If I'm going to die, I'm taking at least one of you with me." Some of the inmates respect the senior officers more than rookies and they would also love to see a breakdown in the system, i,e ,a conflict between two or more officers. They would pay money to see that. For eight months, that is what I was faced with everyday.
Bliss
Well-Known Member
My friend said that she was well aware that they could OVERPOWER HER IN A SPLIT SECOND, since she didn't carry a gun, so in a way, she was smart to not abuse her position, IMO.
Yeah, I'm aware of their magical weaponry skills. My girlfriend always says to this day, "if they only applied their wizardry to legit jobs, they'd be set -their creativity and ingenuity is that amazingly brilliant".
On the other hand I briefly dated a CO, and he told me, 'Please, they have nothing but days on end to come up with these modified inventions". But he did admit he was sometimes in awe too.. like they could make a serious weapon out of a piece of match cardboard, something obscure like that, lol.
satyr
New Member
Where do you go to have sex in a prison? Solitary? Get some hole in the Hole?
Bliss
Well-Known Member
LOL ^ Saty got jokes ^
AGREED!!
Gonna take a while...
"His mom is hoping to raise $25,000 for her son's bail ... but as of this posting, she's only received $238."
(this was a week ago tho, lol)
AGREED!!
Gonna take a while...
"His mom is hoping to raise $25,000 for her son's bail ... but as of this posting, she's only received $238."
(this was a week ago tho, lol)
