I realized long ago that I work in a dangerous environment—not because of some heavy piece of manufacturing equipment, not because I’m a press operator bypassing a safety mechanism so I can punch out car hoods faster and faster and faster—no, not at all.
I do belong to the United Auto Workers Union, but I'm a teacher. I work with a much more unpredictable entity called prisoners. You never know what goes on inside their minds or what might set them off. You need to never let your guard down.
This past Labor Day weekend an inmate was found in his cell—bound and gagged, strangled … murdered. His cellmate discovered him. Soon afterward custody nabbed the suspect—another prisoner who had been advertising for quite some time how he planned on killing a corrections officer. For reasons unknown, he settled on one of his peers. Still, it’s another human being and he’s dead. Sad way to go: Dying in prison, someone's foot on the back of your head, face in the toilet.
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14 comments:
Dangerous, tragic...don't know how you do it & stay sane.
Pure evil.
Hey J.R was it anyone I knew?
j.w
That's terrible.
j.w,
Prisoner Lee was killed by Prisoner Nelson. I didn't get their numbers.
Stay safe Jim.
When are they going to parole the killer? I'm sure prisoner Lee's family will want to take their own measure of retribution.
scary
Definitely a bad day at the office.
Take care, JR.
You stay safe, friend.
JR-when I read of this in the paper, I immediately thought of you. Your job is more high risk than firefighters, swordswallowers, police, etc. BE CAREFUL!!
I always feel that prisoners need more of a mental treatment than punishment.
Of all the animals on Planet Earth, Man is the most dangerous of all!
Every time I read your blog, I am reminded of the other world in which you work. I am amazed. This is so sad. I guess "safe" is a relative term, but I echo everyone else. Please take care.
My brother is a prison guard in the mental health unit in a prison in Washington. Perhaps that is why I am so intrigued by your blog. Oddly enough I feel like I understand him a little better because of these experiences that you share with your readers.
When he talks about his job he always laughs a bit, but I can see the fear in his face. I know that his humor keeps him sane, but at times I am appalled by it. I can't blame him though because how does a person cope with something like what you have just written?
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