EDITOR'S CORNER

Tracy Barnhart continues his discussion on surviving hostage situations by explaining what to do when these dangerous scenarios evolve into the waiting and negotiation and release/rescue stages.
Jim

Tell us what you think at editor@corrections.com.

FEATURED STORY

When the “never happens” happens to you, Part II

By Tracy Barnhart

More hostage survival tips

Capture entails overwhelming, mind-numbing fear. Uncertainty and apprehension are therefore prevalent in the daily routine of capture. The stressors associated with capture are a mixture of internal and external.

Internal: Internal stressors are usually self induced and are the most corrosive to morale. They stem from fear and the induced feelings of failure; lack of needed direction or purpose; worry for yourself, friends and family; intense guilt; mistrust of the captors and possibly other hostages; mind crashing boredom; loneliness; and the perceived need for a constant alertness.

External: External pressure happens when inmate captors attempt to dominate and disorientate their victims and make them dependant upon them by removing control and knowledge of what is happening. Enforced idleness and confinement in cramped, unsanitary conditions in an atmosphere of ruthlessness and unaccustomed discipline are likely, and so is a poor diet and probable starvation. You may be subject to sensory deprivation and lack of sleep and rest. You may be moved frequently within the captive setting to confuse would be rescuers. More

Have an article or story idea? Send them to editor@corrections.com.

GET PUBLISHED

We are currently looking for stories about what you do on your off time. Tell us about your favortie and unique hobbies and activities. We'll post them in August for our focus issue - Off the Clock - What practitioners do in their leisure time. Send your stories to editor@corrections.com

READER FEEDBACK

Regarding When the “never happens” happens to you, Part I, 7/18/07
In general the article has some good information, however I have to disagree with a couple of points: Most hostage incidents in correctional settings are opportunistic rather than planned (Attica was an opportunistic take-over); I would not suggest that staff show personal pictures to their captors since there are likely to be psychopaths leading or participating in the take-over and they will use such photos in an abusive manner; Rape is also applicable to male officers.

Also, the greatest fear of a hostage, as found by the Rand Corporation in a study for the US Intelligence Agency, was related to the survival of their family if they die - This issue may cause them to act recklessly to gain their freedom - After family is personal harm or death. Finally, I would not call inmates by first names since this may be viewed as disrespectful since they are not allowed to do that with officers - disrespecting captors is dangerous.
JM

The following article was very helpful and gave concrete practical techniques. I look forward to Part II. I love Corrections.com.
MJC, BSN, CCHP, MHM Services, Inc.

Regarding Santisima Muerte: Patron saint of security threat groups, 7/4/07
I read with great interest this article on STG's by Mr Tony Kail. It gives a whole new dimension to STG's. I was not familiar with this group but certainly would like to learn more about it.
Deloris Glymph, SC DOC

Regarding Check it at the gate, avoid the burnout, 6/13/07
I really enjoyed reading your article. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen COs come in with a burst of enthusiasm and after about six months they are totally different people. I am an Assistant Director in a corrections training academy, and I can easily relate to this article.

I started working in corrections about seven years ago as a female CO in a 1,200-bed facility for men; I came out of the academy already having to prove myself showing my co-workers that I was able to handle working in this type of environment, where the majority of the employees are men. The part in the article about changing after time caused a lot of problems in my marriage and after working at the facility a little over three years my marriage of 18 years was over.

I then married a police officer but after two years the ended. I have been divorced for about a year and am still in the corrections field, and I finally got it. I worked so hard to get where I am today and forgot a lot of times what was really important in life, and am finally enjoying my family a little more.

At my next corrections academy I plan on touching on this subject a little and hopefully, I can give the officers a heads up on what is really important in life. We all know as well that there are many other factors that play major roles in our hectic careers, but you really hit the nail on the head with this article. Thank you for writing about something so crucial in our profession that goes unspoken.
NP, Assistant Director of Corrections Training Academy

Have an opinion? Send them to editor@corrections.com.

LOOKING AHEAD

Developing Stories Upcoming stories on Corrections.com and the Corrections Connection ezine Justice Policy Institute's Gang War report Just dying to get into this program - Coffin making Getting the word out, Online CO forums What would you like to read about?

Focus Issues 2007 August Off the Clock - What practitioners do in their leisure time - Tell us what you do in your off time. September Education & Training - What’s new from area conferences October Health - Coverage of current health issues and programs Submit an idea for a focus issue

CORRECTIONS.COM FEATURE STORIES

CERT to the rescue

Today’s technology provides corrections professionals with safe and innovative methods to control an inmate’s violent behavior. Specialized units in a correctional facility, when deployed by properly trained personnel, can reduce officer and inmate injuries and reduce an agency’s reduce liability. Proper policies, training and deployment are paramount to a successful correctional emergency response team, or CERT, program inside and outside of your facilities. More

Liar! Tips for Detecting Deception

Any article of this nature, must begin by acknowledging that no article, or book for that matter, is all encompassing when it comes to detecting deception in human beings. The human brain is so complex, there’s no way to contain its vastness on the written page. After having conducted several hundred criminal interviews and interrogations, however, we would like to recount some of the more common deceptive indicators we have seen over the years. While not an exhaustive list, these verbal and non-verbal signs of deception are more common than some of the others we’ve seen. More

Defense dead end

In any good courtroom drama, the stakes are high and the closing statements can be heart pounding. Attorney Bryan Stevenson arrived on such a stage when a lawsuit brought by eight death row inmates against Alabama’s governor and Department of Corrections reached the U.S. Supreme Court. But instead of courtroom fireworks, the inmates Stevenson represented were never heard. More

BUSINESS NEWS

Med 101 Allows Medical Staff To Buy Direct and Save 40%

Last December Med101store.com opened its doors and began selling disposable medical supplies direct from the warehouse, an unprecedented move that promises to impact the way medical supplies are purchased in this country. More

Federal Bureau of Prisons licenses ATG’s pharmacy administration system

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (Bureau) has licensed ATG’s Pharmacy Administration System for all its 114 institutions nationwide. The system has been successfully piloted and full deployment is expected to be completed in 24 months. More

Community Education Centers acquires CiviGenics

Community Education Centers, Inc. (CEC), the leading provider of offender reentry services, today announced that it has acquired CiviGenics, Marlborough, Mass., the largest provider of in-prison treatment programs. More

CAREER WATCH

MODOC appoints new Deputy Division Director Mike Kemna will oversee seven Missouri Department of Corrections centers as the Adult Institutions division’s Deputy Division Director. His appointment will take effect August 15, 2007. Read more

Visit our job center today Employers: Post Jobs View Resumes Job Seekers: Post Resume Search Jobs

EVENTS

ACA 137th Congress of Correction

Date: 8/10 - 8/15/07
A valuable opportunity for all corrections professionals, in both treatment and security. More

Recognizing, Understanding & Managing the Problem Public Safety Employee

Date: 8/20/07
Public Safety agencies nationally face the problem of administrators and supervisors spending a disproportionate amount of time dealing with malcontent and disgruntled employees.More

Physical Surveillance

Date: 8/20 - 8/24/07
This training will provide the participant the knowledge of proper planning methods and techniques for conducting a successful foot, vehicle and stationary surveillance operation in an urban setting. More

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes."
- Mahatma Gandhi

Unsubscribe