Hi fellow correctional nurse's. I'm having a hard time convincing a coworker of mine to stop making contact with an inmate. I've tried to explain to her that they can be manipulative and that she can lose her job. She said she came to me about it because she "heard" that I did it and kept my job
The truth is that my husband had been arrested around the same time I started and I had to inform the administrator so that I could be move to another facility and she refused to move me because she needed me on the shift I was on. He was there for 3 days and somehow it was said that I met him there (funny how we were able to get married in jail within that time frame-WHATEVER!).
Anyway, if you know any situations gone wrong please post so that i may refer her here.
Specializes in Surgical Nursing, Agency Nursing, LTC.
I knew this girl that was a correctional officer at a prison. She got involved with an inmate and was forced to quit her job. So whenever he gets transfered to another facility.... she'll move to the town he's in..no matter where it is.
Holy crap!!!!!! Why is it that people don't realize that an inmate is not worth your career and life. Not only can you become a felon yourself but does anyone ever think of the lifestyle an inmate leads prior to (and sometimes while and after) being incarcerated? HELLO does HIV or Hepatitis mean anything to these people? I've never figured out why any staff would want to have a relationship with an inmate; although, I've seen many staff members become compromised. What does an inmate have to offer? They have no money, cannot come home with you, and most of all they are selfish! Also do these people who become interested in an inmate ever think about the crimes these inmates committed? Why would anyone want a murderer, rapist, child molester, thief, drug dealer, drug user, etc.....? Whoever is sending out "red flags" needs to be reported immediately. Safety and security is #1 always. Just a quick piece of info on a couple of correctional officers that were compromised at the facility I work at-------both were escorted off premises when the husband was bringing in bullets for an inmate that he'd already provided the stuff for a zip gun and the wife knew he was bringing stuff in and didn't report it. Can only imagine what would have happened if other staff hadn't reported it. Pretty scary!!!
Not that this is the same thing, but along the same lines.
In my area, we haven't had a murder in 6 years. We have a maximum security prison near here...built mainly because this area is so remote, that you can't get out by bus, train, and thousands of acres of forest. You would die from the elements before you hiked through if you were ill-prepared.
A corrections officer shot and killed a former inmate at the prison at her home. Police are still gathering what happend. This woman was divorcing her husband had had daughters that were aged 4 and 6. To make matters worse, the body was evidently in her house for a couple of days before she called the police.
Now, if I was on the jury, I wouldn't convict someone based just on that (she has been charged with 1st degree murder), I can see where someone would panic and not know what to do, and the contemplation driving them nuts and they just sit and do nothing.
However, it does make you wonder why he was at the home to start with, and rumors are flying that she was involved with him at the prison, because she knew his release date was going to be soon. Rumors usually prove to be true around here. He may have tried something with her and she shot him.
Here, two children are going to lose their mother, because of her mistake. Even if it was self-defense, if she had not got "cozy" with a prisoner, it never would have happened at all.
Wow....it amazes me at some of the things I have read...lol. I am actually just finishing up orientation for my new job at a correctional facility and it is drilled into our skulls to never ever ever cross that line...and even the most innocent comment can be the start of a whole entire fiasco. They said that inmates lose their right to consent & become a ward of the state while in prison, so even if it is a mutually agreed upon thing, with another inmate even......it is rape. And if a professional person gets caught it is rape, and they will be considered a sex offender as well because they will get prosecuted. I have been told so many things about correctional nursing and stories about things that happened unprofessionally that it makes me cringe.........
Yes...believe it or not....(of course a sexual act has to occur)..but because an inmate is a ward of the state they cannot consent to anything even though they are legal age. It's a formality because I would imagine it's happened so many times before. It's along the same idea as statutory rape.
I haven't began my job yet, I have to go tomorrow for more orientation but we'll see if it's for me or not......I am back & forth on this....probably the fear of the unexpected......we shall see....
Holy crap!!!!!! Why is it that people don't realize that an inmate is not worth your career and life. Not only can you become a felon yourself but does anyone ever think of the lifestyle an inmate leads prior to (and sometimes while and after) being incarcerated? HELLO does HIV or Hepatitis mean anything to these people? I've never figured out why any staff would want to have a relationship with an inmate; although, I've seen many staff members become compromised. What does an inmate have to offer?
I agree with you. You have to think about past, present, and future activities. I work in a mail facility. Some of the prisoners have told us they attract women because they pay attention. They know who is having problems at home, who is lonely, who needs money, etc. If a woman isn't getting attention from an appropriate person, they will start giving it to her. They will slowly and subtly manipulate until - BAM! - they have her. Remember, they have alot of time to sit around and think about how to do this. They have alot of time to sit around and watch and gather information so they can pick their target. That is why it is important to always be cognizant of what you're saying and doing when you're at work. Do not accept any small infraction of the rules against fraternization - ever.
Not only are these people ruining their lives, careers, and the lives of their loved ones; they are also endangering the safety and security of everyone working at their institution. There's a correctional lieutenant in my state up for charges for impregnating a female inmate. People need to realize that inmate's see us as the enemy just like they see security as the enemy. They get a lot of recognition for bringing any staff member down.
Anyone heard of the website for inmate personals? I'm not sure of the exact address of the site, but inmates can post their pictures (I guess their families do it for them) and profiles. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS!!!!!!!!!! I heard about it in my yearly inservice class. Sad world we live in if people go to internet sites intentionally to meet inmates.
I am with you. We refered to anyone who messed with or was inappropriate with an inmate "hug a thugs". There was a female officer at the max for men I worked out of. She was looked down on by everyone including the inmates. I would not touch and inmate with a 10 ft. pole. I left eventually b/c the head of nursing got in a pi--ing contest with the Major at the facility and it caused the nurses to be in danger. I was friends with corrections so My shift was okay, but the other shifts were in real trouble. Politics won out and I left rather than getting into a pi--ing contest with the DON. I advise against doing it for a long time unless you plan to stay there. In Missouri if you work in Corrections too long no hospitals will touch you b/c the attitude that you develop working with inmates. It was nice not to have to kiss the a-- of patients that were rude and obnoxious. Good luck to the woman you know.
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.
Anyone heard of the website for inmate personals? I'm not sure of the exact address of the site, but inmates can post their pictures (I guess their families do it for them) and profiles. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS!!!!!!!!!! I heard about it in my yearly inservice class. Sad world we live in if people go to internet sites intentionally to meet inmates.
Maybe it's "hug a thug".com:lol2:
Prisonpenpal.net and prisonpenpals.org actually...lol. I saw this on a talk show once and had to see if for myself.
Specializes in HIV Coordinator/Disease Intervention Spe.
Let me see where do I begin,
1. Nurse mets inmate she looses her job. He gets out, they get married. He cleans out her bank account, steals her car. She now has no job, no transportation and he has not been seen nor heard of since.
2. Medical record clerk - mets inmate starts a relationship - she is fired - he is locked up in max - he gets out they marry - he takes her for everything they have- beats the hell out of her - he's back in prison.
3. Mental health councler- mets inmate - has a relationship-she looses job - her husband leaves her- no more job - no more family- don't know where she is today.
Starting a relationship with inmates do not pay in the long run. Due to the new PREA laws it is agains the law and it is a feloney charge to have sex with an inmate for any reason. Read the papers inmates have killed for less than that. Take everything you own and then some. Its not just medial staff but security staff also. It is not worth it. What are they going to do for you? NOTHING .... but get you into trouble and get you a freeworld charge! Not to mention soem of them even have "friends" that are in too! Why take a chance and catch more that just a moment of pleasure. You may get a death sentence! :nono::nono:
....how I feel about this topic.
vonxojn
59 Posts
I knew this girl that was a correctional officer at a prison. She got involved with an inmate and was forced to quit her job. So whenever he gets transfered to another facility.... she'll move to the town he's in..no matter where it is.
Some things just aren't worth it.