Institution vs Salem

[allmb]

I'm curious if anyone shares this general sense with me...

I talk to DOC representatives at the institution all the time: guards, administrators, counselors etc. Like all people, some are pleasant and helpful, some petty and mean. All though, even those who are the nicest, seem to have an attitude. Not necessarily a mean attitude, but perhaps pleasantly condescending... like they are talking to a child or maybe that just by treating you like an equal they are somehow being morally superior to other folks - and despite the fact that they are treating you as an equal, they don't really believe it.

I might not have even noticed it but as I began speaking to DOC representatives in Salem, those who rarely, if ever, step foot in an institution - and the way that I am treated is so palatably different. It seems, almost always, that they behave like they are talking to an equal - in some cases it is almost like they are talking to a customer and trying to practice good customer service.

I'm not at all sure that I've explained it correctly, but I guess it comes down to this...

Even under the best of circumstances, within the institution there seems to be a patronizing tone... like at any time they are going to break into some rendition of, "Look, I've been very patient with you up till now..." like patience and respect is some kind of gift they've bestowed upon me. Outside of the institution, for instance, when I call the Dome Building, I often get the feeling that these people would forgo their lunch hour to help me work through whatever issue I am having.

Anyone else?

[grannyG]

yep, I know what you mean. And, for the most part, I tend to agree. That being said, I have found a few ( a select few) in the prison setting that really and truely are nice and not condesending towards people. I hate it when the CO's look down their nose at me like I am scum of the earth because I am visiting someone at the prison. Years ago, at OSP, I was treated much better. And, when found out who I was and what I did for a living, when my brother was at EOCI, I got treated like a real person. This last visit at Snake, was the first such encounter I have had there, that was decent. I earned that to a degree, by holding them accountable, and demanding it. I never have been one to put my head down. I hold my head high, and look people in the eye. I have a right to respect, I have earned it. And no, I don't think I am better than anyone else. I am not good with words. Just wanted to say, I know e x a c t l y what you are saying.

[Dawn.here2help]

I very much agree. I have met some of the most HUMAN people at the DOC state level. They are move than willing to help and answer what questions they can. They are and have been lovely people to deal with. Some of them do have backgrounds at the institutions themselves and that is why they understand what we are going through. Those at the institutions seem to plug the clock! My husband has a wonderful counselor right now and for that I am thankful. If you are talking CO's vs Staff I would tell you that there is a definate difference.

Years ago I was going to college for my degree in corrections. I wanted to be a "warden" (at least that is what they were called back then)...how ironic that I would wind up dealing with the system even though I changed my major. But several of the classes taught that you need to decide why you want to get into this line of work because most of the people get into not so they can "save" a few people but so that they can impose their authority. One of the classes was all about the psyche of a person that goes into this field...most have not had much authority on the outside, maybe were geeks when they were younger, maybe were in abusive families when they were younger....anyway, this professor taught that if you are entering this field because of backgrounds like this it is not a good combination! You will have a miserable career and the people for whom you will be dealing with will not benefit from your choice to go into this field. Anyway, you get my point!

I got pregnant and decided that maybe I would change my career to be a little more in line with children...I changed to a business major....but here is food for thought....what about all of those that do not walk in armed with this information from taking classes and just pick up an application at the nearest state office and get hired?! Hmmmm....wonder if they know why they decided to work in a position that allows them to have authority over other human beings?!

Just me thinking out loud!!!

Dawn