When former inmates pay a visit

chare · Jun 5, 2017

If you feel that you or your family are being stalked, or otherwise threatened in any manner, you need to call 911 immediately and report this; and, you need to have a very low threshold for doing so. Further, you need to report this to your supervisor immediately when you report for your next shift. He, or she, will best be in the position to advise you of your other legal options.

I am so sorry that you are going through this.

poptart109 · Jun 5, 2017

I did call and the police said they were going to say it was a consensual conversation because I never stated I feared for my life to him. I said ***** I repeatedly told him good bye and I had to go as I walked away from him while he was talking to me and following me and closed the door to my car on him while he was still talking. How is that a consensual conversation? All I can do I guess is record what happened in a notepad and hope I never have to refer back to it for anything.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 6, 2017

Notify your place of employment of the contact. They will document it, and someone may also have some advice as to how to handle it.

poptart109 · Jun 6, 2017

I ended up calling a Sargent and explaining what happened. He agreed that a report should have been written and made sure it got done. Next time I see the guy I'm to file for an injunction. Thank you all!

cyc0sys · Jun 7, 2017

I suggest getting a firearm, a concealed carry permit, and spending some time at the range with a certified instructor.

"If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." ~ Col. John "Jeff" Cooper, Father of Modern Pistol Shooting

Stay safe!

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jun 7, 2017

Does this individual have a parole officer?

caliotter3 · Jun 7, 2017

Perhaps you got a good tip about how to approach this in the future from the first police encounter. At least now you are informed about the words you need to use and to report. I received information about stalking when I called to talk to somebody. Essentially, there is little to nothing that can be done about a stalker because the person can walk up to you and do his thing but until his thing involves bodily harm to you, he has succeeded in getting away with it. I did not know that before I called. I further researched self protective measures. The most drastic measure is to disrupt your life and drop out of sight. It has to be very bad before that becomes necessary.

caliotter3 · Jun 7, 2017

I suggest getting a firearm, a concealed carry permit, and spending some time at the range with a certified instructor.
"If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." ~ Col. John "Jeff" Cooper, Father of Modern Pistol Shooting
Stay safe!

A good knife is easier to sleep with and to carry, but the firearm is not a bad idea.

Neats, BSN · Jun 7, 2017

Working in Correction's a great deal of my life I have come across an offender who I took care of in one sate and ran across him in another state. He approached me and asked how I was. He was surprised to run into me. I told him I was fine, glad you are doing Ok and then just said well I have got to go we are busy, turned the other way and left. He did follow me I turned around and stated, I know you are not following me because this would be the wrong thing to do...he bent his head and left the other way. I reported this to both states...for record.

The reality is if you are employed within the correctional setting we may run into people we have provided care for just like at any other medical treatment facility. I do not approach those prior-patients. If they approach me I keep it light I always report the interaction (per policy), if it does get escalated then you can get a restraining order. Most offenders always say they are happy to see me, they tell me they are doing great, staying out of trouble. I encourage them to continue to do so and that I am happy for them. I do watch my surroundings a lot more until I de-escalate from the chance meeting though. Oh and I try to not go back to that area where I ran into them for at least 6 months....never know.

0.5GPA, ADN, CNA · Jun 12, 2017

I work in a jail so I understand your idea of "creepy" we are the biggest jail in my state that houses on average over 1500 people at one time. It's not a prison but we have some bad people come through.

I second the handgun plus concealed carry. You should let police know and find out if he has a parole officer. But you are ultimately responsible for you. If you live in a state that allows it get a permit and a good instructor. Know the law, your rights and know what you are doing. If you are no comfortable with that (understandable) maybe a women's self defense class and a good (police grade if state allows) pepper spray.

This guy sounds like a real winner take care of your self.

DoubleblessedRN, ADN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-P · May 29, 2018

I know this was nearly a year ago, but here is some good advice for anyone who ever encounters this in the future: you need to report this to your employer. Failing to disclose or report an incident is a sure way to get an involuntary separation. Be sure to state that the former prisoner would not back off after you told him/her to do so. DO find out if s/he has been discharged or paroled. If the latter, also report this to their parole officer. If corrections has no jurisdiction over him/her, see the warden of your prison; s/he may be able to either get you or assist you with getting a PPO.