Paul554

Hi: I know that this will not sit well with many out there, nor will it be PC, but I think that good looks could be considered a negative. This occurs in all areas of corrections not just nursing. There is a reason for this. The staff that make hiring decisions have to balance many considerations when hiring. One of these is the fact that inmates are far more likely to attempt to corrupt an actractive staff member than one who is more average looking. Believe me, in the institutions where I have worked, I have seen this happen. I know that that is not what should be the case but it is. After all what manager is going to hire a potential problem. So it really comes down to their perception of any potential employee in terms of how likely they would be to be corrupted by inmates. Another problem is that some simply do not dress appropriately for the environment. I often wonder exactly what they are trying to do. Also I have seen staff, male and female, flirt with inmates in a manner that is very difficult to understand. Actually this is a huge problem at female institutions even more so than male institutions. I know that where I work we are constitantly trained to avoid this sort of situation, but still our attrition rate due to this is about 1% per year. Just my opinion but after all if we lived in a perfect world there would be no need for jails, would there? Paul

Hello: I am sorry that you are in this position. There is only one thing for you to do. Run, don't walk to your SIS office and make a full report. You may be able to save your job. Your co-worker is finished. Indeed she may be headed to jail. The problem is that she will be found out. When she is, she will be pulled into an office and one of the first things that will happen is that she will be threatened and forced to give all the details, including your involvement. When that happens you will be gone. I have seen this happen. Please take this seriously. In the eyes of the investigators your hiding your knowledge of what is going on is as bad as what your co-worker is doing. Report this today. Good luck. Paul

Hi. Welcome abord. I have been with the BOP for 6 years and I work in California. When going to Glynco you can expect to have most things provided when on duty. They told me to bring an iron but that was even provided at my housing unit. Everything at the facility runs in a military way. Expect to be told exactly whats expected, where to go and when. It is my understanding that they issue laptops now with all course materials. This means that you no longer have to lug that big book around. The housing varies. If you are in 185, 186, or 187 building its great. If you are taking your own car, you will have a big advantage since there is very little to do there on weekends. Your first couple of days will be taken up with getting through your PAT test. Dont worry, its not hard. Then they will be teaching you lots of the same things that you may have had if you have been through your IF. You will have to learn to shoot the M16, 9mm, and shotgun. Be careful with the shotgun. Hold it where they tell you, many get bruised with that thing. Since we are getting into the summer down there, bring your favorite bur repellant or Skin So Soft. Though it was not a problem for me, I am told that the no see uns can be murder. Hope this helps. Have fun.

Dear Sheri: Of course you were right to write an IR on the inmate. But I noticed in your post that you took great effort to detail how "swamped" you were. The reality is that it does not matter. If you were busy or not, the inmate still has the responsibility to follow the rules. If he does not then its on him not you. After all how can we expect inmates to follow the rules if we don't? I have been a Federal Corrections RN. for six years and I have seen countless inmates try the same sort of tactic just to feel in control. Your response was entirely correct. Sadly there are many in our setting that attempt to placate inmates to everyone's disadvantage. It is a problem. But they eventually learn. Paul