Does anyone else feel sorry for Prison Officers?

[girlfriend44]

Honestly what a horrible job, could you do it? Imagine having to deal with all these child murderers etc on a daily basis and probably call them by their first names etc?

Working with the dregs of society day in. day out, I couldnt, hats off to them. How do you keep it together knowing that they have starved, beaten, and abused a child etc?

I'm not going to feel sorry for people who have chosen a career and are working in it.

They have chosen to do the job. They weren't pressganged into it so no, I don't.

I know a great guy who went into it with high hopes of making a difference etc, very tolerant and patient man but he had to leave for his mental health, now has ptsd.

It's there job, they've chosen it and get trained

Judging by my neighbour, he enjoys it, he loves thinking he's so much better than the inmates, he loves looking down on them. And I'm sure takes great pleasure in giving them orders!

I've worked in forensic settings, it can feel intense at the start and then after a while they are just people, peoe that you risk assess and take precautions around but just people. its just a job, you get some seperation. If you always let it get to you, you wont be able to work there long

Do you feel sorry for the police who have to arrest and investigate these people? For paramedics that see horrendous injuries and are responsible for first stage emergency field care? For people that work as therapists and counsellors for rape and abuse victims?

I prefer to look at it that those awesome people that feel the need to help others are a wonderful breed that are doing a job that I could not. I couldn't do palliative care or nursing or anything else I've listed. But I have other skills.

(Not a prison but similar area)

The pay for the amount of risk involved in their job is abysmal.

I think it's an incredibly challenging job. The majority of prisoners aren't child murders though, many are from complex social backgrounds and the rate of mental health issues is much higher in prisons than in the general population. I imagine there is an element of wanting to be part of the rehabilitive side of prison that motivates some prison officers. It must be wearing emotionally though.

I don’t feel sorry for them but I would hate to do that job now for the wage they earn.

I was a prison officer for years when the money was excellent.

It’s not all working with the dregs and we had some great times and great laughs.

But yes it can be an extremely difficult job, Prison Officers were well trained and a lot more skilled and professional than their reputation would have you believe.

I can’t say what training is like now because like any other public service it’s been run down with lack of investment.

yes feel sorry for the police as well, who have to investigate, but then they can move on abit, its the prison officers who have to see scum everyday and see to them that really resonates with me.

I worked in criminal law and felt the same. Mostly I could separate the person sat in front of me from the crime. I did find it difficult with certain offenders though.

I cannot imagine doing that job. I also my hat off to all prison officers.
Also wtf is wrong with the (usually women) who start writing to sick bastards and then end up marrying them? Give your head a wobble.

No, of course I don’t feel sorry for them. Prison Officers have chosen to do the job, so I assume they find some positive aspects to it. Personally, working with the dregs of society is not a job I would do for three times what they are paid, but I wouldn’t want to be a teacher (couldn’t work with children) or a vet (far too squeamish) either. Each to their own.

I suppose they just have to be professional and not indulge in revenge fantasies.

My dad was a prison officer, for many years. Through the riots in the 80's and being working in Northern Ireland in the late 70's with the "political " prisoners. It was tough and stressful and many of his generation really do live with the after effects of the life.

Being followed home, cars damaged etc.

My dad found it difficult to separate home and work and at times treated us like inmates.

Many of them have retired but died relatively shortly afterwards. Health and lifestyle, years of drink and stress.

How do you keep it together knowing that they have starved, beaten, and abused a child etc?

Most prisoners aren't in jail for child abuse. The majority of the prison population is made up of those who have committed drug offences (16%), thefts / robberies (both 9%), and assaults ("violence against the person" is the largest category at 31%, which includes anything from harassment up to murder - it goes without saying that murders are in the minority in this category compared to common assaults). Sexual offences make up about 18%.

I worked through the riots and the money for detached duty in Northern Ireland was very lucrative indeed. The job was tough but financially well rewarded including the pension conditions. There was a certain cohort who spent more time in the club than at home but not the majority. Many of my colleagues are living a happy and long retirement.

Sorry that was in reply to @WindChimeBreeze

In my own career (nhs hospital setting) I have quite a lot of interaction on the daily with Prison officers. They are often extremely rude to staff, unprofessional and either best mates with the prisoner or go out of their way to humiliate them. This is not a blanket observation but a majority. I'm sure it is a thankless job but no I don't pity them. Do you feel sorry for anyone else who has chosen a job in law enforcement or criminal justice?

My experience wasn't great growing up in that culture as a child. Some families seemed ok but I suppose it all depends on the individual home. Many of the kids around were the same as me, dealing with similar dads. We all lived in the accommodation on an estate for prison staff.

I know too much of the behaviour, the stress medicated with alcohol, the "club", the cheating, lots of other stuff. It probably suits some people but others can be very damaged by it.

Can't say I feel sorry for anyone in a profession they've chosen - kind of comes with the territory doesn't it?

My brother works In the education section at a Category 2 prison, inmates are fraudsters and sex offenders mainly, not violent but extremely manipulative. He has to deal with some on a one to one basis and just does not know wether they are trying to get some kind of advantage, or really wanting to improve.
Never trust them, help them with education if you can and leave it at that.

@mortalprojections that’s a shame, it sounds like things have really deteriorated. Though I will say the best mate act can often be a way of managing a prisoner and not all prisoners are horrible people. And based on my own observations lately, not all NHS staff are professional and some are extremely rude and dismissive to patients and visitors.

I know someone who does it and loves it. Has to deal with very troubled and sometimes nasty people but often it's just kids who were caught in an unlucky situation. It's an all-encompassing job but suits some people.