Using Inmates To Your Advantage

[STRAPPED]

how do you go about using inmates to your advantage?well ive been in the same dorm with the same inmates for 2 mos.i have begun to really see and know alot.since im still a rookie and am pretty much on my own working midnight shift ive been given the chance to mold myself and learn from mistakes.now i have a few inmates that are snitches when i get to work i pull about 3 inmates from their cell and they clean until about 2am.they give me info about who has what and whats going on.this is a little strange to me and when i investigate their telling the truth.what do they want obviously trying to keep the heat off them right.i searched one of their cells out of curiosity and found some tobacco(no biggie).no shanks,drugs,or anything that could harm me or my fellow officers except a bic pen which i took,and a pencil.is this normal behavior ounce the inmates get used and comphy with you.they treat me with respect and do what their told and all in all i have no problems with them.my dorm has 140 inmates cm1,2,3.dc,pm.only a handfull give me crap.i laugh and keep on walking.is it ok to treat them with a little respect to get them to do for you like for instance,get off the door and go lay down.usually they will because the imate wanted some tp and i finally got it for him.i only show a little courtesy to them.their not my buds and i dont really respect or give a damn about any of em.how do you act,am i doing it wrong.any advice will be appreciated.

[keith758]

Treat all inmates the same, or pretty soon, other inmates will notice those getting favorable treatment and use it against them and you. And even if the other cons don't notice, the guys getting it will eventually try to use it to their advantage, at your expense. I'm sure you've heard it before, but NEVER TRUST ANY INMATE!

[STRAPPED]

understood.thanx

[Bowles]

Inmates have but one goal. That is to make their stay in prison as comfortable as possible. If that means giving you information in the hopes that you will look the other way for their minor infractions. Our standard rule is search the snitches first.

I wouldn't say I respect any inmates; respect is too strong a word in my opinion. I do however treat all inmates fairly, and I rarely have any problems. I keep a professional and business like attitude with inmates. I don't swear or allow an inmate to draw out an emotional response from me in the presence of other inmates. I will however on occasion escort an inmate to an area away from other inmates and have a come to Jesus meeting with him when needed.

The three cardinal rules to follow are Firm, Fair and Consistent. Never allow any inmate to talk you into doing special favors for him; no matter what info he is giving you.

And like the others said "NEVER TRUST ANY INMATE"

[STRAPPED]

OFFICER BOWLES ounce again thank you.your replies are allways welcome and very useful.also please look at my other post you might find it interesting.

[Centurion44]

Consistancy is always the key. If you haven't read "Games Criminals Play" yet, highly recommend that. If you can't get it via internet they sell copies at GPSTC next time you go.

[Bowles]

Consistancy is always the key. If you haven't read "Games Inmates Play" yet, highly recommend that. If you can't get it via internet they sell copies at GPSTC next time you go.

Ditto that, great book. I'd also add the book "Inside the Criminal Mind"

Is it Games Inmates Play or Games Criminals Play? can't remeber.

[tombala]

GaMES CRIMINALS pLAY

[Centurion44]

That's what I said! *looks around and whistles innocently...*

[fsquared]

Steer clear of snitches.

GaMES CRIMINALS pLAY

Ditto on that. I've read it twice and I've been on the job for awhile. Still a great book for rookies and the seasoned vets.

One word of advice: Treat every inmate basically the same and stay away from snitches. They are trouble, period.

Do your job and the rest will happen in good time.

[KwaHThgiN]

After formal count at 10pm and final lock-up no inmate is aloud out of their cells at our facility. I would never get to close to a snitch. Too much chance of retaliation, inmate assault and paperwork. Most snitches here provide their tidbits by handing an officer a request form with the information. Last fall we had an inmate slide a request form under his cell door after lockup in our shu stating there was a 'big ****ing shank' on the unit. The unit was frisked and it was found. He later informed us who it belonged to and who it was going to be used against. Needless to say he went separate custody the same day.

[KC2GYV]

* * * Former US DOJ-BOP* * *

I'd been through two weeks of Institution Fam at a maximum security USP, but was about a week shy of going back to Glynco for the academy (if you call it that). Found my first shank (LT let me keep) but as it was in a common area, I couldn't lock someone up for it. 5/8 " wide, 1/8" thick, 8 3/4" long, sharpened to a point on one end and a hole through the other for a loop of string.

I'd have to agree with the statements of treating everyone the same/equally and not playing favorites. I did take that a step further, though by calling those older than me "Sir" or "Mr. Jones", with those younger than me addressed as "hey Jones" or "yo, man, come talk with me".

If I was disrespected by an inmate, it would get noted in the (unofficial) passdown log and within a day or so, the $hithead's cell would be searched at least once and taken down to bare minimums on everything, including taking away all skin mags. Only had to do that twice.

Watch your six, and remember, the most important tool you have is not the flashlight or the rqadio you might have, but your wits and intuition.

Stay safe.

[QuailFat]

When I was working one of the yard units, I'd let the old timer/lifers bend some rules, in exchange they'd keep the young inmates off my back and the quads clean. If you treat the old timers with disrespect, they do have the power to have you beaten beyond recognition and/or shanked.

[Tommytoons1979]

When I was working one of the yard units, I'd let the old timer/lifers bend some rules, in exchange they'd keep the young inmates off my back and the quads clean. If you treat the old timers with disrespect, they do have the power to have you beaten beyond recognition and/or shanked.

No intended disrespect, but if thats the case, who is in command of the prison?

I understand that no one officer, corrections or otherwise wants to get beaten, or shanked, for every CO here, that is a risk that you are willing to take. Same as a street cop can easily get shot for putting his nose down the wrong alley. So he looks the other way? Maybe its just my youth, but dont you have co-workers you can trust? And again, I mean not to offend anyone. If I have...life goes on.

[Centurion44]

If you haven't see the movie Colors go watch it. I'll answer that post by telling the same story in that movie.

Two bulls are sitting a pasture, an older bull and a younger bull. They look over and see all the cow out in the pasture grazing. "Hey, Pops," the younger bull says, "let's run down there and f**k us a cow."
"No," replied the older bull, "let's walk down there, and f**k them all."

If you need me to explain that further, I will.