Saturday, 22nd August 2009
Society’s Debt To Correctional Officers
Unfortunately, it is becoming rather common to read about attacks on the property of Correctional Officers, whether it is cars, residences, etc. All this should serve as an eye-opener to the debt society owes these people who serve their country in most difficult circumstances at work. Having worked closely with Correctional Officers at the Corradino Correctional Facility, I can personally vouch for the commendable work carried out by people who proudly wear the uniform of Correctional staff.
Starting with the site of work itself, everybody acknowledges that the environment of a Correctional Facility is rather depressing. One arrives under high walls with barbed wire upon them, being bodily searched upon arrival for work, being subjected to security checks as one crosses from one part of the Facility to another, all these circumstances create pressure on an individual without mentioning, of course, the ever-present danger of being attacked by an inmate.
To make matters worse, Correctional Officers are very poorly paid as their Pay Scale is way down the list of Public Service jobs. In fact, many of them only manage to eke out a living for their families and themselves through the overtime worked. Which brings me to the subject of the hours worked by Correctional Officers. Due to an acute shortage of staff, it is not uncommon for a Correctional Officer to work a 14-hour shift and then be called in to work a shorter period on the following day. This sometimes goes on for days on end which creates tremendous psychological pressure on the persons involved.
Correctional Officers form part of a disciplined corps which means that the slightest mistakes while on duty will entail a report and disciplinary consequences. Besides all this, insults, provocations and threats from inmates are part and parcel of everyday life at the Corradino Correctional Facility. It is, indeed, a pity that the local media very often concentrates on the shortcomings of the Facility and does little to advertise the immense sacrifices of those who work there.
Let us give credit where credit is due. Although I now no longer work at the Corradino Correctional Facility, I will always remember the Correctional Officers with whom I worked for so many years, with tremendous respect and gratitude for the work which they perform with such dedication, day in, day out.
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Many more in the public sector are unfairly criticized simply because everyone seeking a service, wants it now. We have become a nation of impatient people and thus very demanding. I am not in any way condoning those who continue to collect a decent paycheque while giving inconsistent and unreliable service in return, to the detriment of the taxpayer.
And finally I would also mention our politicians of any colour whatsoever. By now I would have thought that most can make a distinction between the politician the 'man' and the politician we elect for certain policies we like. Some will say that the perception has been there for centuries, otherwise we wouldn't need different political parties. True, but then should we not consider criticizing the policies of certain parties rather than attack, in a very personal manner, the person?
Having rubbed shoulders with various respectful politicians, I came to recognize their sincerity, for which I am most thankful.