I'm hoping by now most of you have heard of the Ohio Correctional Officer who was violently killed on Christmas Day. An absolute tragedy to the men and women in grey, and their families.
I am not here to discuss the good or bad. Inmates, as well as correctional officers have had a bad "rep" for decades. Normally I don't read into things like this as it has zero effect on my family. Yet this year, due to being with a man who is currently incarcerated, it does.
Months ago, I joined several Facebook support groups to help me navigate the prison "wife" life. Utterly clueless I had no idea what to do, where to start, or who to talk to. I don't even know what possessed me to look up prison groups on Facebook, but I did, and I am now a member to at least 5 of them. Some are strictly for the state of Ohio and others are across the World.
I don't engage much on the pages as it's typically the same stuff. Women usually post about their loved one or share meme's about being with an inmate. None of which I find comical, but maybe it's because I'm too new to this.
I've seen an unusual increase of women wanting to join these groups since the Ohio CO was killed. It's hard for me to read about another wife's husband and their story without having some type of judgement. I know, I shouldn't be like that but I am. The one's who don't share their story are typically the one's in the same boat I'm in.
I haven't felt the need to share John's story in the group, but I have posted his petition requesting signatures. For the most part, the women showed up to support. They don't know us, they don't know the situation, but because we now share a bond, they engaged. Women I never thought I'd have any thing in common with, are now my people.
After the tragedy of Officer Lansing, I wanted to do my own research into Correctional Officers. Guess what, they have their own support groups on Facebook. I was interested and decided to message one of the members. I explained who I was and that I didn't want issues but, if possible, I had questions I'd like to ask. He kindly responded and we exchanged messages for about 45 minutes.
I expressed my condolences and thanked him for his time. He actually works in a super max prison. Now, I don't know much about super max except it's the worst of the worst. I believe the inmates are locked up a majority of the time. I'm not sure what crimes are committed in order to be sent to one, but I'm assuming it's bad.
Can you imagine working with the worst of the worst criminals? Men and women who have done the unthinkable to other humans. Knowing they are capable of such violent crimes, how do you know you aren't next?
I watch enough crime shows to be a detective (HAH every female knows what I'm talking about). How many times have we watched the first 48, or law and order and thought "how are people capable of this". Imagine working with those people who are capable, NO thanks!
Sadly, it goes both ways. Not all inmate is a violent criminal, and not all CO's are arrogant pricks. We're all human, and we all want to be treated the same. Unfortunately, all it takes is ONE rotten tomato to ruin it for the rest.
According to my prison "wife" group a lot of the inmates at Ross liked this CO. They said, "he was fair, a good guy, didn't mess with anyone". While other inmates are talking about how poorly they were treated by him. I don't care what the case may be, no one deserves to lose their life in the manner he did.
Now, COs are often arrogant, rude, and hateful. Not answering questions, not engaging how they should, not being respectful, and treating the inmates inhumane. This has been going on for years.
Our prison system has been unethical for decades, it's run by a corrupt government and the correctional officers are stuck in the middle. Most are trying to provide for their families while dealing with lack of pay, lack of training, and lack of respect. Often ignored by the ODRC when they cry for help, when they demand change.
My thought, which I clearly know nothing. Is switch the prison mentality up. We've been doing it this way for years, and it isn't working. Inmates are dying, correctional officers are dying, and for what? Families torn apart, judged, and labeled on both sides of the fence. Why are we like this, why is there so much hate?
Your CO's don't think inmates should get a monthly allowance for working. They don't believe in them roaming the yard, playing sports, or hosting a card game in the community room (don't know proper terminology just yet).
Inmates don't think CO's should be able to walk around and kick them off a box, or say smart, condescending remarks while picking up mail. They don't feel they need to show respect when they don't give respect back. A common problem in society.
I'm not sure what's right and wrong anymore. I'm not sure who's to blame (CO's or inmates), what I do know is it's been an issue this long and NO ONE is demanding or offering change. Why?
Why are more inmates not involved with advocating for themselves, why are CO's not fighting ODRC? Change doesn't happen overnight, and it's going to take hundreds of people to speak up before anyone starts to pay attention. Yet someone needs to. Some has to step up. Someone has to be the voice.
I don't know, this is my random thought of the day. I don't even know where I was going with this other than confusion. Like my thoughts and opinions confuse me, I'm torn between both sides because of who I am as a person.
I feel for the correction officers, but my heart is with an inmate.
Either way, this world needs more prayer. We need change, and positive solutions for both sides.
Romans 12:1-2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind"
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