Correctional Officers –
Predacious Environments
Two species are never exactly the same. Each have their own
unique qualities and predatory behaviors. Officers are aware that what works
for one may not work for another. Some are more venomous than others and
although some don’t appear to use venom to subdue their prey, it does not mean
they aren’t capable of inflicting the kind of pain and harm as those that
openly display their powers.
There are many patterns of behaviors that must be taken into
consideration. These range from mastering the art of mental manipulation to
pure physical bullying at times by blunt force and other times by coercive
persuasion. Regardless of will or mind, they all fall victim to predacious
behaviors and become predatory themselves. Most follow their prey from the
shadows anticipating an opportunity to strike or advance their purpose another
step closer to the ultimate kill or objective. Their patterns are indicative of
the subtle movements that can strike silently and swiftly like a Cobra or crush
you like the jaws of a Great White pummeling you to your demise. Either way,
you will experience excruciating pain if not death. Time has revealed the
different methods of assassinations used inside the prisons.
Mankind has not yet fully understood the impact or the
dangers as they have willfully ignored the warnings on the walls for decades.
Neglect of funding and staffing has exasperated the situation. Politicians have
long ignored the status quo that is creating a toxic and harsh condition inside
the penitentiaries and seek no oversight or accountability.
Since filling up these prisons with violent men or women, individuals
must adapt and survive by breaking away from society’s rules. The way we think mankind
ought to behave while incarcerated has been altered by the venoms around them. Metaphorically chained to the walls for their
crimes committed and castaways they are no longer considered humans but rather,
predacious creatures that prey on others to survive.
Perhaps the most ultimate paradox is how these monsters are
created and when released walk among the most common members of our families
and society. Expecting rehabilitation they are thrown in with the worst of the
worst to become not only more criminal in their minds and intent but predatory
enough to engage in new behaviors not sought before they were imprisoned. Such
is the world where only the strong survive and reap the goods that are
available within the walls and make a living off others selling drugs,
bartering goods or getting high or stoned. It is no wonder that gangs are
prospering off the basic needs of others. It has become a capitalistic venture
of supply and demand.
Correctional officers have learned how to understand this
complex evolution and revolution of these incarcerated persons. They have
increased their knowledge how to deal with these kinds of predators although violence
against them has increased dramatically and their behaviors have been bizarre
to say the least.
Officers can offer insights but are often kept quiet due to
the code of silence. Needless to say this fosters more myths and folklores as
the truth is rarely told and the questions never asked. It’s time to open up
the box and reveal just how bad our
prisons have become in the last twenty years and how this complex situation can
be redeemed and altered back to restore
human dignity and an enigma kind
of lawful order.
