Corrections Officers - Time Punchers, Bullies, or Difference Makers?

 In my last post I broadly categorized prisoners, despite preferring to avoid over-generalizations. Nevertheless, categories do help to explain some things. It might help to understand typical corrections officers through broad categories too. Again, not every officer fits into one of these categories neatly. Some move between categories, and some start their careers in one and end in another. Others are difficult to categorize at all. 

Most corrections officers fit into the first category, Time Punchers. These officers come to work simply for the paycheck and benefits. They are the officers who, were it not for mandated overtime due to staff shortages, would work an occasional overtime day, but prefer to do their eight and out. They'll write prisoners misconduct tickets if necessary, but they prefer to do their half hour rounds and be left alone the rest of the time. They'll answer prisoners' questions if the answer is readily available, but don't count on them putting in much effort otherwise. 

Time Punchers take their jobs seriously, but only seriously enough to preserve the appearance of doing so. They'll almost always have their coworkers' backs, if necessary, but they don't relish prison drama. This job is just a job to them. Sometimes these officers have an, "I don't give a crap" attitude, frustrating prisoners who need something. -- What? You just rode in and need a pillow? Yeah, I don't know what to tell you. -- Otherwise, these are also the officers who don't usually go out of their way to make prisoners' time difficult. 

Another category of corrections officer, thankfully a minority of officers, is the Bully. Every prison has Bully officers, but they seem to be in greater abundance in higher level prisons. Perhaps the greater violence among prisoners in these levels appeals to the Bully? Whatever the motivation, Bully officers come to work each day intent on making prisoners' lives miserable. Sometimes they target specific segments of prisoners, like young gangbangers or prisoners who are working to better themselves. Who they target depends on their own motivation. 

Bully officers are eager to write misconduct tickets, confiscate property, make a prisoner leave the chowhall before eating, or simply degrade and disrespect prisoners. I've known Bully officers who have planted shanks in prisoners' cells, and lied on misconduct tickets (which almost ALWAYS stick). These officers are almost never punished when their their own misconduct is discovered. They may simply be transferred to another housing unit within the same prison. Often, Bully officers are promoted to a supervisor role so they are less likely to engage with prisoners. 

The final category of corrections officer is the Difference Maker. Sadly, this is also a minority category, although there does appear to be a larger number of these officers among the Gen-Z population of officer. Perhaps it is their higher social consciousness than previous generations? Either way, difference makers are not necessarily advocates. They simply come to work prepared to see people as individuals. When they see prisoners who are working to improve themselves, they encourage that behavior. They take an interest in listening to prisoners and helping them problem solve. 

Difference Maker officers often unofficially counsel prisoners, helping them think through decisions by asking questions. The primary indicator of a Difference Maker is treating prisoners with dignity. Believing one has dignity makes all the difference in the world when prisoners think about their futures. Those who believe they have worth are more likely to live into that belief. Difference Makers focus on encouraging good behavior rather than antagonizing prisoners to behave their worst. 

To be fair, being a Difference Maker officer in prison is difficult. Some coworkers think you're wasting your time, and some prisoners might attempt to take advantage of these officers' kindness. I have to imagine it is quite difficult to maintain this posture under so much pressure and such frequent failure. 

Though I aim to keep the power differential between officer and prison in perspective, keeping appropriate distance, in my 13+ years in prison, I have encountered several officers who I just had to thank. A few of these officers I had an opportunity to thank for how they treated me and others as they retired. Several others I simply thanked when I transferred or moved to different housing units. It must have felt foreign to them having a prisoner thank them, but Difference Makers are too rare to go unappreciated. 

In a recent commercial seeking new corrections officers, the MDOC hints that they, too, like Difference Makers. Their commercial states that they are looking for compassionate officers, not unfriendly ones. I couldn't help but laugh at how preposterous that sounded. I only wish it were true in practice. Prisoners could, for sure, use more reinforcement of their inherent dignity.