Topic: The Club House / CCW

Shakey,
That is the level of prepardness a person needs to be at if they are going to be packing… To me it is pretty basic. If you are going to pull a gun, you had better be ready to use it, and if you use it, you had better be ready to kill somebody, period. Those of us in the correctional/law enforcement field know, that threats without meaning are useless. Does this mean that everytime an officer pulls a gun, they have to shoot to kill – no. However, if they do, are they ready for that outcome? If not, then they should not pull the gun, and should probably find a different career.

Here is a situation: It’s chow time, and one inmate is standing out of line.
C/O Joe, “Inmate Smith, back in line”.
I/M Smith, “no problem boss”.

C/O Bill, “Inmate Smith, back in line”.
I/M Smith, “why man, what am I doing, I’m just standing here, come on Bill, what a load of crap, I’m not doing anything, what does it matter…” And Smith remains out of line.

What’s the difference between these two confrontations?

whs

Topic: The Club House / CCW

Shakey,
You are missing my point… Yes, it is a step in the use of force, however if you are not mentally ready to take the next step then you have no business pulling the weapon.

Question, would you want just anybody in that tower with a rifle… I mean, heck we can train anybody to shoot. So, now we train Officer Bob, and he is a natural… Steady and accurate. But, Officer Bob is not ready to kill somebody, and guess what? Yup, think about it… Do you want Officer Bob, who will second guess before pulling the trigger covering your ass while you are walking the yard? Sure, his mere presence will deter most folks, but that is not what we are talking about here… Same with the Police or any type of law enforcement. When time comes to pull a weapon, you had better be 100% sure of the outcome. Otherwise, find a different job.

In our Institution, Tower Officers are screened in advance for just this very thing. They are mentally prepared to use that weapon for it’s intended purpose – to kill. The convicts know this. They are fully aware, that it is Officer Josephine that is in the tower, not Officer Bob. And she is 100% ready to do what may be necessary. It is out of this level of prepardness that has her respect the power of a firearm, and how to use it. When she shoots into the pad, the yard drops because everybody knows the next shot is for keeps. And guess what? The yard officers know this too.

WHS

Topic: The Club House / Professional Gunfighters?

Personally, I think the term “gunfighter” connotes a negative and or brash opinion in most people. Even if you try to pretty it up by adding the word “profesional”. I mean, I may have been trained in hand-to-hand combat, so ipso-facto that puts me in the same catagory as a profesional wrestler! Hmmm, not sure if that is what I want to be refered to…

Topic: The Club House / CCW

OfficerMerc,
My advise to you is this, if you have to ask you are not ready! Now, don’t get me wrong… I am not saying you should not, what I am saying is that you need to look very closely as to the responsibility of carrying. Then you need to take courses on handgun safety and responsibility. I say this, because all too often people with a gun do not have a clue as to how, when, why or even if they are able to use it.

Personally, you and everybody else needs to ask yourself; Are you ready to kill somebody? Because my training, ever since I was a whee lass, has been that guns are for killing – period. If I pull a gun, it with the full knowledge that somebody is going to die. It is not to “defend” myself, or “threaten” somebody, or try to “intimidate” them… It is to kill them.
While this may seem harsh, it is reality. I will never flash a gun, or pat my side or any other silly thing like that. If I feel threatened enough that I need to reach for a gun, well… Somebody is going to get shot, and die. If you are ready for this, then you are ready to carry a gun.

This is just my opinion.

WHS

Topic: Letter of The Law / Should ex-offenders be allowed to vote?

xfelonjoe,
Two thoughts… First, personally I agree that once a felon has paid his debt to society, their rights should be restored.
Second, talk about watching out… You sound as if you still have a convicts attitude regarding society. Blame, blame, blame. Sorry Joe, but until you understand that society does in fact hold you accountable for your actions, and it will take more than just putting money in Uncle Sams pocket before you earn the right to criticize CO’s. I do applaud you on your progress, and you are headed in the right direction… Personally, I would recommend not allowing your past to guide your future, or it may be you back behind those bars. Good luck to you, I hope you make it! Honestly, I do.

Topic: Letter of The Law / Lethal injection… cruel and unusual?

squeeze, thank you for the excellent response. And your advise is well heeded. I would however add that one of the hardest parts of this job is the lack of understanding from the outside world, including family, as well as with some fellow staff. The inability to “vent” your frustrations, is part of the problem many officers and staff suffer from… That is where many times a forum setting, allowing for modicum of anonymity, will let someone release some of that pent up anger, which in turn allows them to do the job, shall we say, with more profesionalism. Sometimes we just need an ear, someone to listen, who understands… Personally, when one of my peers chooses to complain about the system, I afford them the privelidge, as I know that if they don’t let this out it will affect their job, and ultimately mine. Although, as you pointed out, this can sometimes be a fine line, between releasing stress or creating more.

Topic: Letter of The Law / Lethal injection… cruel and unusual?

squeeze, No I don’t think this is what we have become… I think this is what we are. It’s not about vengance per se, but about retribution. When a person maliciously attacks and takes the life of an innocent person, the punishment should fit the crime, as society dicatates. In our society, we have the death penalty. The problem is not whether we have or don’t have, but in the implementation of. Society has dictated that certain crimes should carry the ultimate penalty – death. However, the lawyers and the judges have been able to misconstrue the meaning and hence, we have convicted felons, sentenced to the death penalty, that sit for upwards of 20 years… This is where the anger comes from, and is especially apparent from those of us who work within the walls of maximum security prison. We see daily the life of some of the convicts, see them laughing and realize that the punishment, whether it’s a year and a day or death, are not a deterent any more. It can be very frustrating, when our jobs are to uphold the laws, yet we see them being manipulated and abused on a daily basis. We get to listen to convicts laughing and getting fat, while the victims are the ones truly suffering… To know that this inmate raped and robbed or took a life, and now they get 3-hots, a warm bed, air conditioning, store, cable tv, and of course “their rights”. Yet the victims get what? They get to suffer, because society has allowed the laws to become mired in confusion and debate. So, if you want to leave it up to God… Then let’s do that… Let’s go ahead and send them on up to see Saint Peter at the pearly gates and be judged.

Topic: Letter of The Law / Lethal injection… cruel and unusual?

Of course it’s cruel and unusual… Nobody wants to die that way, to be put down like an animal, to feel pain, or discomfort or somehow have to experience apprehension, or God forbid remorse. Yes, it is cruel and unusual and the only problem with it, it takes to dam long to get it done.

Topic: Letter of The Law / Should ex-offenders be allowed to vote?

So, honestly… Have you ever heard an inmate state that the thought of losing their right to vote even came to mind, before they did the crime? Yeah, I bet good old gang banging joe thought to himself “hmm, maybe I shouldn’t be shootin this guy… cause man, I won’t get to vote next election…” Nah, it was more like this “hey, I am gonna shoot this guy and heck, even if I get popped, it’s not like serving time is that hard…”. Let’s see – Prison equals, 3 hots and a cot, store, cable tv, and even a paid job. Plus, if they don’t treat me right, I can sue and come out with more money than when I went in… Yeah. Losing the right to vote really, who gives a shit…

Topic: The Club House / Just Asking.....

I check in about once a week or so and honestly, don’t find too many topics that are all that interesting. I have only responded to a couple, and that’s about it. I mean, I don’t really have time to tell you what I really think about half-life… lol

Topic: A Broader View / Food Attitudes

Actually, our meals are set by the state dietician and are healthier than what most of us eat regularly. In fact, I have argued that we spend too much. For example; In Washington we are required to provide 16pcs of fruit a week for each inmate. Heck, we spend over $90,000 a year on apples, in just one institution and that is at a reduced rate (because we are in apple country). You can double that in some of the more urban institutes. Not all states can get away with what Sheriff Joe is doing down in Az., by serving bologna every meal.

Topic: A Broader View / Food Attitudes

Yeah, it sucks! ha ha
Actually, the question should be, have you ever tried it? That will give you the best indicator.
I know here, some meals are liked better than others, which is typical. Inmates never miss pancake morning, and they prefer peanut butter and jelly with sack lunches (in leiu of the meat like substance).
Personally, I have been a “taster” a couple of times, and while not overly impressed as it was pretty bland, it was not bad.

Topic: Security Central / Tasers in the Jail?

We utilize both hand-held taser pistols, and taser shields. Use depends upon the situation… Many times, just a “demonstration” of the shield will result in an aggressive inmate complying to orders.
Of course, in order to operate a taser you have to be trained, and part of this training includes getting zapped. Same with OC in Washington. To become certified for use, you have to get sprayed. Helps with any ensuing lawsuits, as well as with inmate communication. The officers know what will happen, and what to expect. Except for emergent use, both OC and Taser use must be pre-authorized.