Loose Lips Sink Ships!
Loose Lips Sink Ships!
What do you say or not say to an inmate about a co-worker
Back in WWII the above was a common refrain for the populace at large. It simply meant that telling someone else, something perhaps seemingly innocuous, could result in disaster, the sinking of a ship, the loss of a battle or the perhaps even the outcome war itself could be jeopardized.
This has an application in corrections, the things we say, the people we say it to and the inferences that can be drawn by bad actors.
"In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies." Winston Churchill
Today while perusing some social media content, an officer made a comment about an inmate knowing the medical condition (knee replacement) of another officer as revealed to him by staff ! There are absolutely no conditions under which an inmate should be informed about the medical status of another officer, nor should their home address, marital status, number and names of children, religion, brand of car or favorite team be discussed within the earshot of an inmate.
Can you imagine telling an inmate about your pending divorce, the death of a parent, child? Sickness, vacation, special assignment etc? The smallest bit of information can sometimes be used to manipulate, threaten, target or breech security.
Inmates will ask, probe and work to get such information. If they know you are not fond of a certain other officer or co-worker they will mention to you about how they feel about that person…, to elicit a response. They will ask you why Officer Smith has not been at work for a week. That is the sort of shit you need to shut down immediately. Even so much as mentioning a favorite hangout to each other can put you in jeopardy. I recall one instance where a gang member inmate heard about a local bar and sent a female accomplice on a mission to get “close” to an officer and then to blackmail him into other things. You just never know.
Always remember it only takes a small bit of information to place someone’s health, career, property etc. at risk.