Blog 17

By watching this documentary I was able to observe more than what I already know about women prisons and the inmates prison life. From readings and other media, I always pictured women guards as more tough looking or intimidating. However, not in this case from what was viewed from the documentary. The media always portrayed women to look like lesbians or carrying weapons. However, in the video clip most of the correctional officers did not look as if they were masculine. I also noticed in the video that the correctional officers were not walking around with their weapon or intimidating the inmates. Also, by viewing this documentary I was able to learn a lot more about the rules and the procedures that correctional officers have and give. Also, the video displays different areas in prison and how men work as a guard. I did not know that men had to have a women with them at all times when they enter into the women quad. Although it makes a lot of sense, it can help prevent some of the illegal activity that some correctional officers do. It can help prevent rape or accusations of male guard acting in a sexual manner or activity. Overall, this video clip focused on women in prison, correctional officers, and the structures of the prison.

Building a relationship with the inmates can be dangerous for the guards. It can be dangerous in many different aspects for the guards. It is better for correctional officers to stay away from relationships with inmates. However, one way that it can be dangerous for the guards is that it can possibly get them hurt. It also can hurt that person career because if they build a relationship with an inmate that can give the inmate a chance to make up something that can possibly result in corrective action for the guard. Some of the inmates that are incarcerated include: “drug dealers, murderers, thieves, and other trouble makers” (video clip). The officers in correctional facilities have to be, “vigilant in order not to be compromised” (video). The officers have to show that they are not there to be friends. Some officers are inappropriate and break the rules and law. That is when it is investigated and action is placed. Therefore, in order to avoid these accusations it is better not to gain a relationship with an inmate.

Some assumptions that officers had of inmates in the video was that the inmates where there for a reason. The inmates did something that caused them to get locked up so they have to do the time for it. Also, some officers felt that inmates have time for improvement as well that is one of the reason they offer different classes such as dentistry, cosmetics, and costumer service work. Some correctional officers feel that inmates are still human and still have their rights however, they are not free. They feel that they are still human but still have to obey them. When they get out of line they have to easily put them back into place.

In the video clip I observed mostly African American correctional officers. It was mostly women working in the prison as correctional officers. Also, the lead was a women it didn’t show many men working in that particular facility. Furthermore, the warden of that prison facility was a women. As far as for race, there weren’t any issues that had risen. The correctional officers in the video seemed professional and followed the rules. However, the overseer was basically the action of overlooking race and the punishment for that individual would be solely based on the criminal act that was done. Moreover, officers had to use a sense of social control over the inmates. They had to let the inmates know that they are in control and not them. Since inmates are already aware that if they choose to argue or act up they can possibly end up with disciplinary actions. Most inmates do not want to end up with disciplinary actions because that can result them in being locked up with only 45 minutes a day to enjoy being outside. They also, get only a 15 minute shower every two weeks. Therefore, most women don’t try and test correctional officers because they do not want to end up in the eight by eight segregation unit.