Corrections_Today_Winter_2025-2026_Vol.87_No.4

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Offenders love to target inconsistent staff. Once one rule is compromised, offenders talk amongst themselves and will continually target that officer for further “games.” Another type of staff member who is a target is the “know-it-all” or complacent officer. The staff who think they know everything become targets for the offender to challenge. The offender knows this type of person is arrogant and will not check things out with other staff, making this officer easy to be manipulated by the offender, who gives information that may be false in hopes that he or she will not follow through. The complacent staff often fail to notice signs of trouble. When staff are being set up, there are often many warning signs in the environment, such as offenders congregating in one part of the living environment or some thing within the environment that seems totally out-of-place. It is very important staff not share personal problems with offenders, as this becomes an easy

way to manipulate staff. The offender will store personal information away and use it against staff by trying to compromise them when the time is right. This personal information becomes a weapon when later the offender wants something from that staff person in exchange for not using this information against him or her. Once boundaries are compromised, it opens the door for many unhealthy things to happen. Staff who are being set up need to be warned and may need some extra training to understand how their behavior is compromising the effectiveness of correctional treatment. Once one staff member is compromised, the whole program can be in jeopardy. It takes a unified staff that communicates regularly to shut down the games and maintain healthy control of offenders. Strategies to avoid manipulation One of the best strategies for correctional staff to avoid being manipulated by inmates is to remain pro fessional at all times. Staff need to understand what it means to be professional and act in a professional man ner. Professionals are confident, consistent in enforcing the rules and know the policies and procedures for their program. If the staff member does not know the correct answer to an inmate’s question, the staff mem ber actively seeks out an answer before responding to offenders. A professional staff member will control his or her emotions and will not be sucked into personal sympathy for offenders. Empathy and sympathy need to be distinguished from one another. It is acceptable for a staff person to have empathy (trying to understand an offender), but it is unacceptable for an officer to be sym pathetic (emotions blur professional boundaries) toward an offender. Another effective strategy is to recognize the steps of a setup in progress. When staff see that a game is underway, it is important to document closely what is occurring and pass information to all the other staff members who are associated with the program. It is only by clear communication and detailed documenta tion that an offender’s game will cease to be effective.

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Corrections Today | Winter 2025-2026

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