The good things that happen in corrections,

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So many times we complain about inmates, porters, P & P, etc. I have a story to share.

We have a great C.O. in her late 50's. She is always fair, firm, and consistent; which all of you know is a must in corrections. She works at the lower security portion of my prison. She is well liked and respected by all.

I walk in the door to start NSC. I literally had one foot in the door when an inmate runs in. He states that Ms. CO is hurt and needs help. I run over to the dorm and found her face down with inmates all around her. At first glance, it looked like the worst had happened. My heart dropped to my knees.

As I approach, I see that they are helping her. Talking to her. Praying above her. Two former EMTs (now inmates) have taken her pulse and are keeping her spinal cord in alignment. As I'm tending to her, a rush of other C.O.'s come running in- her "man down" alert system has been activated by the radio on her belt.

It turns out that one of the inmates activated it for her to signal for help.

Tonight proved to me that the human spirit is amazing and you should never under estimate the power of kindness. The situation could have been so much worse. These inmates helped save her life.

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Thanks for sharing. Let us know how she's doing?

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

Inmates realize that we all have jobs to do. When we are fair and treat them with dignity them they generally respect us, even if they don't agree with all our decisions. Thanks for sharing this story.

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Eirene: What a great experience! It brought tears to my eyes. We so need to balance the bad with the good. Thanks for sharing.

You didn't mention what happened to her and if she ended up well. Can you share that without jeopardizing confidentiality?

Lorry

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That is such a heart-warming story. Thanks for sharing:redbeathe We had a nurse get stuck in a dayroom between two grills for awhile (have NO idea how) and some of the inmates formed a circle around her to protect her from the other inmates. Sometimes they can really surprise you. That being said, I don't trust any of them because you never know who can be trusted.......................

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Specializes in Pysch, Corrections, MedSurg.

What a great story!!

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Great story! Thank you for sharing....

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What a great story, thank you so much for sharing.

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