Another One Bites The Dust
These are words to a song, but they can also apply to Correctional staff. It gets old hearing it apply to Staff, but it's a way of life. For those of you who don't understand what this means, it means that staff have compromised themselves with inmates again, costing them their job and their career. No, this does not mean only Female Staff, but all Staff. This problem exists in every state in the Union, and in prisons all over the world. Staff is warned time and time again in training and on the job to not turn to inmates for friendship, and also to watch out for inmates playing games.
Most Staff are good people, but there are many factors that can take them down, if not dealt with. Low self-esteem, marriage problems, debts, loneliness, anger over not getting a promotion, resentment against fellow staff for taking excess time off, and a thousand and one other factors. NO, no one can be made to do anything they don't want to do, but words of kindness can hook you if they make you feel good. Thinking that only an inmate understands you and your emotions, that no one else cares about what you’re going through with a sick wife or child, or the bills piling up, can get a staff member to cross the line with an inmate.
Wake up. The hard truth is that most inmates don't care about you or your family. All they are thinking about are the benefits you can give them—from sex (female and male) to contraband, to whatever. Always remember, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS INNOCENT CONTRABAND. Anything you bring in is a nail in your career and job.
Also, some Staff think they can confide in an inmate and they will not tell anyone. Well, guess again, my friend. ANYTHING you tell an inmate is public knowledge in the inmate population or will be when he/she gets everything they can out of you.
I do not know how many female Staff have fallen for an inmate and lived happily ever after, but if you could find out, I think it would be less than a handful in the whole country. Everyone wants to be loved and wanted, but a male or female inmate is not the answer. I've known several female staff that have lost their jobs and careers. Not a one of them are still with the inmate that they gave up everything for.
I would love to never hear the words ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST again except in the song of the same name. I would love to never hear about another Staff being walked out the front gate, with a promising career shot down the drain. Will this happen? I'm afraid not, but it is a good wish and prayer. If you are feeling some of the above symptoms, talk to someone. THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THEIR WHO REALLY CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOURS!!!!!!!!!
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