Blog 17
Officers who build relationships with inmates will only lead to termination or suspension, depending on the issue. Women use officers to get them things from the outside and then turn around and frame the officers. An inmate does not build a relationship with an officer because they like them; they do it for their own personal well-being. Male officers have to be extra careful that they do not make any comments towards a female inmate because it can backfire later.
There are many lesbians in women prisons. It helps them get through their long sentence. Officers do not have a problem with it and actually feel it is very unique and interesting. Many of the inmates are hairdressers and some of the officers allow them to cut and do their hair because they feel like they are at a beauty parlor on the outside. While they are in the beauty shop, they are just two women; the officer does not treat her like an inmate or feel like an inmate is doing her hair.
Officers of color have a more difficult time in prison than white women. African American and Latino officers are constantly name called and hear many racist comments. It can be scary for an officer of color to work in a prison where it is more dominantly white people. They are taught how to react and respond when an inmate threatens them. The best thing for the officers to do is to ignore the inmate and not let them feel like they have won. According to the videos, all inmates want is attention from the officers and they will do whatever they can to get that attention. The officers know that they want attention and ignore them unless they try to hurt themselves.