SCENARIO #10

CO's Do Not Cry

A correctional officer comes into your office in tears just after 09:00.  The clients in the dorms were worried that one of their fellow clients was not waking up.  This CO tried to wake the client up, but to no avail. Two more officers were called for assistance, but still no response from the client.  A medical emergency was called and the client was taken by ambulance to hospital.  There was fear that the client might die.  The  first correctional officer is overcome with the insensitivity of the Operational Manager on duty, who seemed to care less if the client lived or died, but just was glad that the client would not be in the building, if something happened.  The officer is in tears at not being tough enough to work here.  Though appalled at the insensitivity of some staff, the officer knows to show emotion is socially unacceptable and ridiculed among fellow officers.

Citing specific guidelines, describe what you would do in this situation and why.

We talked for a bit, but were interrupted by the receptionist asking if I could take a call from the father of a client who died at the institution last week.  The correctional officer understood that I had to take the call, and went off to write an occurrence report on the incident.

 GUIDELINE #2: KNOW YOUR INSTITUTION

  • 2.5.1 (Know the issues: e.g., public displays of emotion are seen as a sign of weakness) - Correctional staff deal with horrendous circumstances leading to grief and loss issues, but must maintain a tough exterior so as not to display emotion.  Since 1996, the Ministry has provided Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) to help deal with the effects of stress in staff.  It is becoming more and more acceptable to ask for help.
  • 2.5.2 (Know the issues: e.g., job dissatisfaction) - Chaplains hear much discontent over the course of a day. Part of your job is to patiently listen. When I asked a staff member, “How’s it going?” and they answer, “Can’t complain,” I often responded, “I’d listen if you did.”  That usually got a chuckle, but it planted the idea that I was there for them and will listen.

GUIDELINE #3: THE LARGER / OLDER YOUR INSTITUTION, THE LONGER ITS MEMORY

  • 3.2.1 (Watch for any opportunity to affirm staff) - I thanked the officer for coming and speaking with me. It meant a lot that this correctional officer felt comfortable enough to come and vent.  This was the result of the rapport built up with this individual over the years.