Corrections Officer Arrested for Drug Smuggling

A few weeks ago, the prison yard was abuzz with gossip and rumors. This is not an uncommon occurrence in prison, only this time it wasn't gossip about another prisoner or false rumors about the passage of a good time bill or prisoners being released on tether. Still, the gossip had a tantalizing element of truth, embellished by overzealous rumormongers.

A corrections officer at Parnall Correctional Facility had been arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs into the facility. Apparently, it'd been going on for some time and was a rather open secret among prisoners in the section of the prison where he worked. 

Of course, the rumor mill had five different officers arrested and escorted off the premises in handcuffs, but when I saw two of the officers working later the next day, I knew that part of the rumor was untrue. As they say in prison, believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see. I've since seen the story of the officer's arrest on the local news, so I know it's true about at least one officer.

In the days since the officer's arrest, I've continued to hear about other officers being suspended for misconducts. I have not seen these officers working the last couple of weeks, so those rumors may have some teeth to them, but who knows for sure. In prison, you have to treat almost every rumor you hear as fake news, until you can confirm the rumors from a reliable source. 

And officers themselves are not always reliable sources. Two prisoners I know were transported to the hospital in the last few months. According to several officers, the first prisoner had to have several toes amputated because of an infection, The other had died in the hospital. Yet, the man with the "amputated toes" returned back to this prison, with all toes intact. And I confirmed personally that the other prisoner is still in the hospital, alive. 

I have to imagine that just like prisoners sometimes start rumors for the fun of it, officers may do the same. I once started a harmless rumor on April Fools Day, and I was shocked later that day to hear prisoners from the other side of the prison repeating the rumor in the chow hall. California wildfires might spread quickly, but they have the speed of a tortoise compared to rumors in prison. 

In previous posts, I've been highly critical of the Michigan Department of Corrections' response to the drug problem in prison. Excessive mail and visiting restrictions are the typical response, despite the majority of drugs more likely coming through corrections officers. So, I'm pleased that the Department has taken this incident seriously and have pressed charges. There should not be a double standard when it comes to enforcing the law. 

I don't feel smug about this officer's arrest and hopeful prosecution. I think it's tragic any time someone commits a crime and their lives, and the lives of their families, are tragically changed because of their poor choices. I also don't think excessive prison sentences are the answer to crime. But I do believe in fairness and equal justice, so I hope the MDOC continues to hold other officers accountable. 

One of the stated goals of incarceration is deterrence, so I'd like to think this officer's recent arrest will deter other officers from such foolish behavior. Unfortunately, I don't believe incarceration actually serves as a deterrent for more than very brief periods of time. The allure of money will likely entrap other officers to take up the trade. I can only hope the Department will be as vigilant and stringent with their employees as they are with their captive charges.