Corrections Voices: Breaking Down the Wall of Silence In DOC

Sexual harassment is a problem for Corrections Agencies throughout the country with more and more claims being made about the culture of workplace harassment and alleged department cover-ups. The Michigan Department of Corrections has a long history of issues with harassment, so much so that the department took on reform measures decades ago to address the problem. According to several current and former staff, these measures have not brought about much needed change. Considering that, according to a free press investigation, there were 186 sexual harassment complaints filed between 2015 and 2017, it would appear that reform is still a work in progress or likely at a standstill. Female staff members claim that not only are they subject to harassment and discrimination, but, harassers are often not disciplined appropriately if at all, and victims are retaliated against for filing complaints. What's interesting is that while the department says that they are taking a strong stance ...

What is Correctional officers and Employees week? Corrections officers are often forgotten and underappreciated for the work they do. Police, firefighters and emergency workers are respected for the service they provide and the dangers they face. Corrections Officers often do not earn the same honor from the public because their work is done behind a wall hidden from public view. While they serve the public and face danger everyday, their efforts are not seen and therefore, unfortunately, not recognized. Furthermore, corrections does not simply involve Corrections Officers. The prison system is a fully functional community with individuals holding many jobs. Also within the department of corrections are those on the outside who work with offenders reintegrating into society. All of these Corrections employees provide a valuable service to society, and Corrections week is a time to recognize them. When is Corrections Officers and Employees week? First implemented during the R...

Again South Carolina sees violence and death in it's prison system as 7 inmates were killed and 17 injured in a riot overnight. Lee Prison has been an especially violent institution in an especially violent state. A similar situation occurred in 2013 resulting in multiple inmate deaths, two officers were stabbed in 2015 and more inmate murders occurred in 2017 and February of this year. The latest is the largest disturbance to take place in years, involving multiple inmates and lasting over 7 hours. More to come as the story develops.

We have discussed the Missouri Department of Corrections quite a bit, and will continue to do so while it implodes. The problems facing MODOC are many. Chief among them, in terms of sustainability is the critical staff shortage in Missouri Prisons. The fact is that there will be blood and violence in the Missouri Prison system sooner rather than later. While the institutions are stocking up on riot gear and preparing for the disturbances to come, staff numbers are too low to perform even normal daily operations. The staff shortage is a crisis. But more interesting than the high turnover of officers is the pattern of who is leaving. Correction Officer's Prayer Brushed Steel Dog Tag What we see more and more is that it is not the new officers that are turning in their badge. It is the veteran staff who have served for years that are choosing to hang it up. In a time of impending unrest in the prisons, when experienced officers are needed most, the institutions are being left ...

Corrections officers face danger everyday, but they often face it alone. Officers Work a job that is hidden away from the public and not given a second thought by those who sleep safe in their beds. Officers who lose their life in the line of duty get a passing mention in the news and then are forgotten by all but those closest to them. To the public they are a "Prison Guard." To their families, they are a Grandfather, a Sister, a Mother, a Son. Officers who are killed on the job deserve more than one sentence in the newspaper. In honor of those who serve behind the walls and razor wire, Here are three people who we should all take a moment to remember. The above picture is SGT Mark Baserman of the PA Department of Corections. He was killed on February 15th 2018 when an inmate attacked him for confiscating a towel from his cell. He was punched in the back of the head, knocked to the ground and stomped on. He did not get to go home that day all because his life was worth no...