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Correction Officer's Guide to Understanding Inmates: The 44 Keys to Power, Control, and Respect Paperback – June 20, 2012
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length232 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJune 20, 2012
- Dimensions6 x 0.58 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100983483701
- ISBN-13978-0983483700
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Product details
- Publisher : Koonce Publishing (June 20, 2012)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 232 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0983483701
- ISBN-13 : 978-0983483700
- Item Weight : 14.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.58 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #402,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book easy to read and understand. It provides informative content, including lessons learned and tips for improving one's career. Readers appreciate the sensitivity to inmates and staff, with reminders that inmates are people too.
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Customers find the book easy to read and understand. It provides a clear description of life on the job and basic information for those interested in corrections.
"...It's easy to read and understand and is full of lessons learned by a 19 year veteran of Riker Island. This should be recommended in all Dept...." Read more
"This CO book was a great read, the author is great and give you all the steps clearly and for most of us going into this career were not huge..." Read more
"This is an okay read. It was good enough to get through - it has some pretty pure & well intended advice & touches on a lot of ways your career can..." Read more
"...has never had any exposure to prisons, it was both enlightening and entertaining. I read it in one evening...." Read more
Customers find the book informative and useful for new and experienced corrections officers. They say it provides good advice on how to improve one's career. The text is easy to read and understand, with lessons learned from a 19-year veteran of Riker's Island.
"...It's easy to read and understand and is full of lessons learned by a 19 year veteran of Riker Island. This should be recommended in all Dept...." Read more
"...It was good enough to get through - it has some pretty pure & well intended advice & touches on a lot of ways your career can slide away from you if..." Read more
"...It's very important to realize that. This book has some great pointers, and is as perfect for a rookie as it is for a seasoned officer...." Read more
"...For someone who has never had any exposure to prisons, it was both enlightening and entertaining. I read it in one evening...." Read more
Customers find the book helpful for interacting with inmates. It provides tips for dealing with both inmates and staff, and is recommended for correctional officers new and old.
"...Treat every inmate the same. Document everything. Help out when needed. Know policy...." Read more
"...There are tips for dealing with both inmates and staff. The author wrote the book to share his wealth of experience. He can teach you much..." Read more
"...liked the constant references to safety and the reminder that inmates are not friends. We all get complacent from time to time. Again, thanks." Read more
"...covered in the academy, but it is always good to remember that inmates are people too...." Read more
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2024If you are new to Corrections this book is a wealth of information for your. It's easy to read and understand and is full of lessons learned by a 19 year veteran of Riker Island. This should be recommended in all Dept. of Corrections along with the Inmate Manipulation books that are recommended.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2024This CO book was a great read, the author is great and give you all the steps clearly and for most of us going into this career were not huge readers and its a overall good and interesting read. I learned a lot of of this book, thanks.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2024This is an okay read. It was good enough to get through - it has some pretty pure & well intended advice & touches on a lot of ways your career can slide away from you if you're not keeping on top of yourself as an officer, regulations, and your fellow officers in corrections.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2016I have approximately 8 years experience in a correctional environment, and currently am employed in a Men's Super Max Correctional Facility. After that amount of time, I would love to say that I have "seen it all", but each time I think that, I have been surprised.
There is so much to Corrections, it is not as "Black and White" as you are lead to believe. Inmates are not big, dumb, and submissive to your authority as you would like to believe. It's complicated. These "people" manipulate for a living, and you are simply a pawn in their game of chess, a next step further to their goal. It's very important to realize that.
This book has some great pointers, and is as perfect for a rookie as it is for a seasoned officer. Don't walk into a cell house/pod/dorm, etc and act as if you own the place, but still have confidence. They watch every move you make. You are not an authoritarian, or disciplinarian, you are a role model. There will be times when you understand the Inmate's view more than your fellow Officer's, but it is important not to side with the Inmate. There will be Inmate's that will make you question your job, life choices, and even the loyalty of other staff-do not fall into their trap. It's all a game, the sooner you realize that, the better.
Their words that sting were designed to do that; they have nothing but time, and have every intention of hurting you, if only for their amusement. Do not let this get to you, nor show that it gets to you if it does. Treat every inmate the same. Document everything. Help out when needed. Know policy. Keep your word, but never make a promise to an inmate, under any circumstance. Watch out for your co-workers so they don't get caught up. NEVER TALK ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE. EVER.
Although they can access your personal information, do not make this any easier on them. Never hint how long your drive is, never show your ar keys on your belt, and for the love of everything Holy-always be in the sight of a camera, if possible.
I have been an FTO for years now, specializing in Women in Corrections, and I do recommend this book. I could go on and on, but this book is great for anyone in the field. We are a complicated lot, and books like this that actually have real-world experiences of Correctional Officers are gold.
-Hannah
- Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2016I'm not affiliated with the prison system, but I thought this book might have some transferable leadership lessons hidden in it... because in prison, you're essentially in charge of managing a troublesome group of people who need strong leadership and rules. In normal life, people might not be as cunning, but it's important to know how to handle difficult situations.
Of course, there were some details that don't apply to my life (chapters on HIV, rape, unprotected sex, etc), but many others do. For example, chapters "be fair, firm and consistent," "how to say no," "how to deal with troublemakers," "don't be too eager to please," and "if you create a plan, stick to the plan." A lot of these lessons apply to corporate life, as long as you remember employees don't wear orange, they can sue you, can write bad reviews on Glassdoor and can quit anytime ;)
The stories in the book portray the 'keys' well. For someone who has never had any exposure to prisons, it was both enlightening and entertaining. I read it in one evening. The book is very organized and doesn't have any fluff (which is rare!). I had to double check to make sure it was self-published because it's so well written. (Most self-published books can be um, a bit lacking. This one had maybe one error? An error or two happens in traditional publishing too). If someone who is not a correction officer could learn a lot from it, then I imagine COs could benefit from these lesson immensely.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2025Very useful tool book
- Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2014I will start by saying that even if you have 20 years in corrections this is a great book to use as a refresher. It takes what Officers learn over their career and categorizes it in 44 keys; then it provides more details and techniques, things Officers forget about.
For those that are new to corrections or in the academy this book gives you what you need to accelerate your career as an Officer; you can learn from the experiences in this book rather than on your own. While I was reading this book I highlighted the key concepts that make someone a seasoned and effective Officer compared to an "8 and the gate" Officer; I plan on giving it to a friend going through the academy so that he can be more effective and efficient right out the door.
If you have fellow Officers who are struggling or are an FTO this book can be a great tool; it consolidates the knowledge of seasoned Officers into key concepts that can be used as guidelines to maximize effectiveness of Officers. We are outnumbered up 100 to 1 many days so it is important that Officers work together and are an effective team. This book can help create that effective team; I found it to be highly motivating.
Don't think about it anymore, just get it, and read it. Well worth the $12.00!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2024I recommend anyone in law enforcement or corrections to read this book as it is a great book. I have been passing it around my unit and even my captain loves the book.
Top reviews from other countries
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on February 2, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and great advice
A broad range of topics covered with excellent advice and anecdotes. From whether to bend the rules, to officer loyalty, to getting along with the supervisor. A great foundation read for the aspiring officer or curious mind.
- StephenReviewed in Canada on November 23, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read
I'm currently going through the process to become a Corrections Officer, and I could go on and on about how fantastic this book was. I came out of it feeling so much more comfortable and secure and confident to walk into a jail setting. It is a must read for anyone working in the jail/prison system.
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