NEWS

Five signs that a jailer-inmate relationship is crossing the line

Donna Thornton
The Gadsden Times

How do you know the interactions between a corrections officer and an inmate are getting out of bounds?

Veteran corrections officer turned training instructor and author Gary Cornelius points to the work of educator/author Dr. Lorry Schoenly, who specializes in correctional healthcare for insights. In a 2011 article for the publication Corrections 1 by Lexipol, Schoenly outlined some warning signs:

• Personal life in disarray: Relationship problems, family issues and other conflicts can leave COs, detention medical staff and anyone coming in contact with inmates open to a relationship with one.

• Little favors for inmates: Daily contact with inmates makes it easy to start sympathizing with their plight; if an inmate persuades a staffer to do even a small favor, they start “down the path of obligation.” Obligation to an inmate is “the enemy of a secure workplace.”

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• Looking for opportunities for contact: If COs find themselves looking for opportunities to spend time with an inmate, they should ask to be reassigned.

• Correspondence with an inmate: Written interactions can move a relationship “one step further down the road to ruin.” Staff should avoid receiving or passing written communications, even notes to other inmates.

• Falling off the cliff: This if the point of personal and physical contact, where procedures are breached and laws are broken. Even then, it’s not too late, Schoenly says. If it’s a colleague, confront them and urge them to turn themselves in; if it’s you, turn yourself in. If the colleague doesn’t act, report them for the protection of the staff, the inmates, the compromised CO and yourself.

Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.