Oral History
By: Ashley Rose
Prologue
My Oral History covers some misconceptions I and most people have about staff and inmates which are in the prison system. I interviewed two staff members who are very close to me my Mother and my step-dad. To my surprise I was wrong about many things. The first staff member was a male, 32 years old, named Officer Michael. The next Officer I interviewed was a Hispanic female, 41 years old named Officer Susan. I targeted the major thoughts I had about prison staff and inmates. However, much more information was revealed from the interviews.
Interview Questions and Videos
1. How many years have you worked in a prison?
2. What is your present Job title?
3. Do you directly deal with inmates daily. If so how?
4. Being that it is a prison what type of crimes are your inmates locked up for?
5. Would you say that some if not all inmates are dangerous?
6. You ever feel threatened by inmates?
7. I here that respect is extremely important while working with inmates why?
8. Do you see lots of fights working in a prison?
9. What is it like working with inmates?
10. What is the worst day you can remember working for the prison system?
Extra Questions
11. Do you think your gender plays a role in how inmates perceive you?
Afterword
I had a misconception about many aspects of the corrections system. These interviews helped me to correct some of these misconceptions. As a result of this interview I could see myself working in this environment. Before these interviews I thought people that worked in jails were uncaring, bullies. I no longer feel this way. I also do not see all inmates as manipulators, which are only out to break rules. At the end of these interviews I was asked if I would consider teaching at a corrections facility. Even thought I have conducted research about the corrections system and found that it was just like working in any other job I am not sure if I would teach at a corrections system. I will find out sometime soon.
The first thought I had in my mind before the interview was that staff is mean and inconsiderate to inmates. Michael’s responses were genuine and revealed that he is very concerned with the inmates as a whole and as individuals. While answering my question you could tell he was proud of his job, and he feels he serves a purpose. Most importantly, he is very fair, firm, consistent, and respectful to the inmates. In Susan’s interview the same was evident. She explained how she’s been doing correctional work since she was 19 years old. Also, in many instances to some inmates she is the inmate’s only hope. She hopes that inmates can emulate her so therefore she must always be professional, and be the one to take the high road.
The second thought that I tried to bring out during the interview was that prisons are dangerous, and the staff always feels unsafe. Michael’s interview revealed the opposite. He feels safe in the prison environment, and feels that if he treats the inmates with respect nothing will happen to him. The inmates are mostly dangerous to each other. Susan’s interview revealed she feels safe as well she says, “The inmates will treat you the way you treat them.” She also says, “There are systems in place to curtail violent incidents.” She expresses that there are no more dangers in prisons then in society, and at least in prison it can be expected so they are trained to deal with danger if it occurs.
The first thought I had in my mind before the interview was that staff is mean and inconsiderate to inmates. Michael’s responses were genuine and revealed that he is very concerned with the inmates as a whole and as individuals. While answering my question you could tell he was proud of his job, and he feels he serves a purpose. Most importantly, he is very fair, firm, consistent, and respectful to the inmates. In Susan’s interview the same was evident. She explained how she’s been doing correctional work since she was 19 years old. Also, in many instances to some inmates she is the inmate’s only hope. She hopes that inmates can emulate her so therefore she must always be professional, and be the one to take the high road.
The second thought that I tried to bring out during the interview was that prisons are dangerous, and the staff always feels unsafe. Michael’s interview revealed the opposite. He feels safe in the prison environment, and feels that if he treats the inmates with respect nothing will happen to him. The inmates are mostly dangerous to each other. Susan’s interview revealed she feels safe as well she says, “The inmates will treat you the way you treat them.” She also says, “There are systems in place to curtail violent incidents.” She expresses that there are no more dangers in prisons then in society, and at least in prison it can be expected so they are trained to deal with danger if it occurs.
