Hectic Day

[Jimd]

Today was insane...
One officer was attacked by an inmate on a cell block.
Another officer was injured in a fight with an inmate in our Mental Health Unit.
Near the end of the day, an inmate in the yard next to where I work was having a seizure, so I had to radio for a stretcher and a medical team.
One thing after another.

For hours on end, it's sheer boredom. Nothing going on, you feel like screaming from the sweltering heat and total boredom. Then, all of a sudden, it hits the fan here, there, and everywhere. Seldom a happy medium.

I've been job hunting, and the prospects are NOT good. Not much out there in the way of decent-paying jobs. Actually, looking for jobs brought my spirits down.

[ghostrider]

Jimd,

Your frustration is evident in your post. I continue to pray for you. I too am looking for a job, and can understand how discouraging such an endeavor can be. I also appreciate the sacrifices you make in your current, as well as past service.

God bless

[Piet.S]

Don't let it get you guys. I'v been up **** creek too with the job I had over the last year. I found it very depressing not to get out but finally made it. After nine years I'm an aircraft sheetmetal worker again and love it. What I try to say is, don't forget you'r valluable, you may have a family that loves you, you have friends because of who you are, there are things you are very good at and yes, all the mess will come to an end. Never give up.

[DAYWALKER]

Aloha JimD,

Yes, I feel and know your frustration well...I been praying for "reassignment" as far as jobs go...I will be more specific when praying for you man.

Take care, stay 360IJN, and God bless :cool:

[Jimd]

Today, an inmate was stabbed in the chest on one of our cell blocks, which is not an abnormal event. What added a bizarre twist was the fact that when he reported to the cell block bridge, an officer wrote him a pass to go to the Dispensary.

After walking down the Corridor, he collapsed not far from where I was working. He was writhing around on the ground and medical was called, responding with a wheelchair.

No one realized he was stabbed until before medical arrived and my buddy, Joe (an officer) pulled up his shirt and there was a hole in his chest. Very little blood.

I was thinking about this further, and realized something. I really felt nothing toward the inmate who was stabbed. Nothing. No sorrow, no joy...well, I was glad because it added something interesting to my day, breaking up the monotony. Had it been an officer, I'd have felt very much different.

The job has made me calloused. I still pray for some of the inmates whom I know, but this level of callousness is unsettling.


..."We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for whoever has shed his blood with me shall be my brother" ---Shakespeare

Henry V

[Jimd]

Jimd,

Your frustration is evident in your post. I continue to pray for you. I too am looking for a job, and can understand how discouraging such an endeavor can be. I also appreciate the sacrifices you make in your current, as well as past service.

God bless

Thank you, Shostrider, it is appreciated.

Piet...I know I shouldn't let it get me down, but the conditions in which I work are deadly, environmentally horrible, and administratively hellish. It does get me down at times, there's nothing I can do to prevent it. I try to do a good job, but the white shirts keep tormenting me, non-stop.

Chad...thanks, dude!

[Gerard Breuker]

To be frank it sounds like this job is getting you down all the time lately which could become a real health issue in the near future IMO.
Not that I blame you as it sounds like the worst job I can imagine with the inmates and the staff you have over there. I keep on hoping you will find a better job with decent pay soon.

[Jimd]

To be frank it sounds like this job is getting you down all the time lately which could become a real health issue in the near future IMO.
Not that I blame you as it sounds like the worst job I can imagine with the inmates and the staff you have over there. I keep on hoping you will find a better job with decent pay soon.

Thank you for the well wishes, I truly appreciate it.
Yes, the job has been getting me down.

The straw that broke the camel's back was a few weeks back when I came to the assistance of another officer. We dealt with the inmate, and I was injured. The injury didn't bother me, though; the fact that a lieutenant wrote a false report, saying that I was stomping the inmate in the head, really upset me. As I said, I thank God that the incident was on film, because it cleared me of any wrongdoing. If not for that film...I'd have been answering a lot of questions.

At this point, I'm very reluctant to get into any more physical confrontations in the prison. Not out of fear for my safety so much (though that does take its toll), but out of fear of what kind of reports will be submitted.

I am fed up.

[David Lowry]

I can't say that I know what it's like to do what you do. I know you and Chad both do it. I will pray for you and your family.

I have had to take lower paying jobs in the past just to make a change to another career. I didn't like it at the time, and it made things kind of "tight" but it always has worked out. The only thing I can say is that if you want out you just have to go man. That's the only way. Make the decision and bug out.

We all pay into unemployment right out of our paychecks. I've never had to use it, but if the time ever comes I will collect unemployment. If you can get unemployment by getting "let go" you might want to do that until you can get a different job.

There will always be someone that has to do your job Jimd. There will always be people to do different jobs. People will be doing jobs they don't like. My guess is that you were "chosen" for your job and that you do a good job at it. Not many people can do what you do and survive. I know it has to be hard, but know you are helping people.

I know I have heard Chad say "if I can make a difference in 1 inmates life, it was worth it". Maybe try to look at it like that.

I don't have the answers, but I'm here to listen if needed.

God Bless,
David Lowry

[Piet.S]

I really hope you find your way out Jim. If it wasn't for you and Chad I would not have had any idea how bad it is in there.

[Jimd]

I My guess is that you were "chosen" for your job and that you do a good job at it. Not many people can do what you do and survive. I know it has to be hard, but know you are helping people.

I know I have heard Chad say "if I can make a difference in 1 inmates life, it was worth it". Maybe try to look at it like that.

I don't have the answers, but I'm here to listen if needed.

God Bless,
David Lowry

David, your post is beautiful, literally. The points you brought up are what give my job meaning.

I know God has "placed" me where I've needed to be. I'm not sure how long He wants me there. :o

Helping people is what I live for. It gives me so much satisfaction. And the fact that I'm helping inmates is totally fine with me. I agree with Chad about making a difference in just one inmate's life; I have done that, I've seen the results, and it feels great.
Thanks David, and God bless you.

[greencobra]

Jim, just checking in to show support. We hear ya my friend.

You may remember me saying I have a family member in your line of work so I know all to well of what you speak. I try not to talk shop with him but he has shared things with me and honestly, I'm thankful for people like him, yourself, Chad, Simon and, I'm sorry if I forgot anyone from the forum here, who is willing to do the job.

Talk about heroes, CO's should be mentioned in the same breath as Servicemen, Fire, and Police. No doubt.

Hang in Jim, and thanks.

[Jimd]

Friday night, my wife was doing the bills. I could tell there was something wrong, and asked what was up.

She told me we don't have enough money to go on the vacation to North Carolina that we'd planned a few weeks from now. We didn't plan anything elaborate; in fact, the only activity we'd counted on was playing around on the beach for a couple days, and other free activities.

What a kick in the nutsack. I should have worked more overtime so we'd have enough to go, but I just couldn't bring myself to go into that place on my days off. Mentally, I just couldn't do it. Very frustrating. We were looking forward to a relaxing, interesting environment. I know we can relax at home, but we *need* to get away for a couple days. Argh.

[David Lowry]

Jimd,

That sucks man. I know exactly how you feel though. We were also supposed to go on vacation to NC this summer also. Some other stuff came up with car repairs and house needs and we just can't.

So, I get to take some days off and just stay around the house.

I am just glad I wont be at work and I can be with my wife and little girl.

I feel ya bro.

Peace,
David

[Stuart Ackerman]

There appears to be a shortage of CO's in New Zealand...

[Jimd]

There appears to be a shortage of CO's in New Zealand...

Gosh...I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to do the job. :rolleyes: