Corrections_Today_Winter_2025-2026_Vol.87_No.4

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inmates, triggering emotional outbursts or resistance. Officers must be prepared for more frequent emotional crises and train in trau ma-informed care, de-escalation, and crisis intervention. Clear communi cation, fairness, and support often produce better outcomes. Discipline and rule enforcement Discipline is perceived differently in male and female facilities. Male inmates, accustomed to rigid social hierarchies, typically accept the conse quences of rule-breaking. Compliance is often swift, even if reluctant. Female inmates challenge author ity more emotionally. They are more likely to argue, question fairness, or resist discipline if they feel it’s unjust. Officers may face negotiations, complaints, or emotional breakdowns instead of immediate compliance. To maintain order, officers must set consistent expectations and enforce rules with fairness and clear explana tions. Simply imposing punishment without communication, may lead to greater resistance and long-term management issues.

inmates can also lead to contraband exchanges, favoritism, and emotion al power struggles. Officers must focus not just on dangerous items but on minor violations that could trigger larger conflicts. Manipulation and staff-inmate interactions Recognizing manipulation is one of the toughest adjustments for of ficers moving to female facilities. In male facilities, manipulation is often direct-through intimidation, bribery, or gang pressure. It’s easier to spot and shut it down. Female inmates use more subtle, emotional tactics. They may build trust, create bonds, and exploit sympathy to bend rules or gain favors. This slow erosion of boundaries can lead to serious security breaches. Officers must maintain clear, professional boundaries while treating inmates with fairness and consistency. Training on ethical decision-mak ing and manipulation tactics is essential for those working in female facilities.

Training on ethical decision-making and manipulation tactics is essential for those working in female facilities.

Contraband and security concerns

Contraband presents risks in any correctional facility, but its nature and purpose differ between male and female populations. In male facilities, weapons, drugs, and gang related items are common, often escalating violence and threatening security. In female facilities, contraband is usually linked to personal relation ships and comfort. Unauthorized items like extra hygiene products, homemade cosmetics, or handwrit ten notes may seem harmless, but can fuel conflicts and manipulation. Romantic relationships between

Photos courtesy Davidson County Sheriff Office

Female cosmetology class

Behavioral Care Center resident therapy

Corrections Today | Winter 2025-2026

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