Do you feel that the self defense course offered prepared you for an inmate attack?

deyo321 · Sep 15, 2009

I was not offered a self defense course. I am always escorted by CO's. You will want to be vigilant at all times. Follow your CO's lead. Trust your instinct. It is safer then the ER and many nursing homes. Good luck.

Murse901, MSN, RN · Sep 16, 2009

I was not given a self defense course at my institution. After getting to know the bureaucratic tendencies of administration, I prefer not being given a course.

Why? Because I can defend myself in any way I see fit without being blamed for "not following protocol" in regards to self defense. The CO's hands are tied when they are assaulted. They have to use the minimum force to detain the inmate, no matter what the inmate does. If I'm assaulted, I'm within my rights just as much as if I were assaulted on the street to give the inmate a proper ***-beating, so long as I stop when he stops.

Never been an issue in the year I've been working in the prison. There are always plenty of officers around.

NYRN08 · Sep 17, 2009

Like the OP's I too have not been given a self defense class other than what I know from my kickboxing classes. My facility is pretty good at responding very quickly and I carry a walkie talkie with me at all times as well they have a eye in the sky..watching everyones moves. If I feel the need to get a CO b/c of an IM's behavior, etc esp when walking in the halls, I just give a push on the emergency button and bam they are there. I think what I'm still a little scared of the most is when I have to go into the segregation unit and they are hootin and hollerin at ya! I know they aren't allowed out of their cell esp when I'm on the unit but it just creeps me out.

Eirene, ASN, RN · Sep 18, 2009

We were taught some basic techniques from Jiu Jitsu (armbar, etc). The class was 32 hours in all. The information was great- but I'm not sure that I would remember all of it in an actual crisis situation.

Guest371144 · Sep 19, 2009

In the facilities I deal with they don't focus on teaching self defense but on how to summon help ASAP. There are alarm systems, monitor cameras, and COs present in care areas.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Sep 21, 2009

Our nurses are not given self defense training. However, as a former correctional officer I was (albeit longer ago than I care to talk about).

jschut, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2009

I am scheduled to take my class Thursday. I'll let you know.....

CCHP-RN · Sep 26, 2009

I took a minimal self defense class when I started corrections 12 years ago. I enjoyed the pressure points, not sure if it would actually work if I had to use it though.

In these 12 years, I have only gotten into it with 2 inmates. Both times, other inmates told the aggressive inmate to back off and later in the day both inmates apologized to me. I think this is due to me being fair and consistent with the inmates at all times. The inmates always have my respect as long as they respect me. Once they disrespect me, then the other inmates know it. It can be as simple as me calling inmates Mr. so and so... then when they disrespect me, then I call them by their last name only (so and so).

Inmates tend to appreciate nursing/medical staff unless you are just cold hearted and treat them like trash. We are some of the only staff in the prison that are not there to punish them, but are there to help them.

Cristi

jschut, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2009

Apparently our minimal class does work because the day I went to my PP class, a nurse had been grabbed and restrained in another room the night before. She broke his hold on her, and kicked him and got away. Thank You God!

This nurse is no where near the type you would think would ever fight at all, she is fair, kind (maybe a little too kind) and consistent.... she has a strong faith in God, and mostly that, along with remembering what she was taught, helped her make her way to safety.