Basically speaking, much of a correctional officer’s world
is based on personal experiences and the process of learning how to do or don’t
do things you encounter while doing the job. The fact is that the concept of
lessons learned is overrated and should be put into perspective by making sure
there are five solid steps taken to ensure you don’t make the same mistakes
again as before. Making mistakes can be the difference between winning and
losing and the battle between good and bad things happening on the job.
The first thing we need to reduce or address is the
temptation to become complacent. Being careless is a game changer and should be
avoided at all costs. Officers need to think before they take action – analyze
your options and depend on your training to calculate your risks. Time
permitting, practicing patience by planning and thinking of the consequences
gives you the “extra time” needed to make the right move or action. Using your
intuitive skills helps as well as what you have been taught by others.
Never give up and never fear what you will run into when you
already know the odds are stacked against you from the beginning as you are
outnumbered and put at risk anytime you report for duty. Don’t think about
throwing in the towel and stick to the plan to turn the odds around so you are
safer when you work. Remember that quitting is not in your vocabulary so
looking for new strategies and tactics is the alternative in this environment.
Working inside a prison takes a special person – thinking
like an inmate can be an effective strategy and allows you to think in a
preventive mode. Don’t leave yourself wide open for their manipulative and
sometimes violent plans. Learn how to stay ahead of them by attention to detail
and deciding your next step making it a defensive one if necessary keeping your
opponents off balance.
Remember I said “think like an inmate” and not “act as an
inmate.” One distinct advantage for an officer is to learn how to empathize and
think in the shoes of the person do things so you can find alternatives or
solutions to their or your problems. Being empathetic means asking good
questions and engaging effective listening skills while you sort out the fact
and take action.
Remember where you are at all times. Working this job will
bring you good days and bad ones. Unfortunately you will also work with good
staff and bad ones. How you make your choices or decision is based on your own
ability to remain consistent and fair at all times. You will win some and lose
some but what is most important is how you play the game. Remain respectful and
relax (avoid taking on too much stress) as much as you can under the
circumstances. Never lose focus on your responsibilities and control your
emotions.
Avoid any negativity that may surround you or those you work
with daily. Maintain your sense of humor and keep your mind clear. Avoid taking
things personal and focus on being professional at all times. Your demeanor
will determine your credibility and respect from others. Walking the talk is
more than words, it is who you are.
The longer you work the more you learn and the more you
learn the less mistakes you will make if you pay attention to the lessons
learned and adapt or modify your strategies or tactics to improve the outcome
of the last encounter and most of all, bring your learned experiences to the
table and share them with others to avoid making miscalculations.
