The first sections of this book are concerned with threat assessment: rather than a mere list of risk factors, the authors offer concrete skills on the development of a safety mindset, and further, techniques to develop and hone intuition, that early warning system that warns of danger before your conscious mind is even aware there is something wrong. This also includes what we can do to achieve a state of integrity and powerful calm. The author offers specific strategies, including a method of breathing for the purpose of maintaining one's center in crisis situations.
The next sections discuss specific behaviors ranging from confusion and obsessive concerns to psychosis, mania and acute disorganization. In one very important section, the author discusses interactions with opportunistic and manipulative individuals, people who present a danger to the psychological and physical well-being of anyone with whom they come in contact.
This is followed by a section on suicide: recognition of patterns of behavior that suggest suicidal intent and best-practice communication and interventions for frontline officers, who must deal with the suicidal inmate first.
Next is a discussion of aggression, whether directed at the correctional officer or others. De-escalation tactics are specific - one learns how to immediately recognize what mode of aggression other person is displaying, and then, one can quickly and effectively implement the de-escalation tactics that are best suited to deal with it.
Finally, the book presents protocols on current information on positional and compression asphyxiation (authored by Dr. Gary Vilke), and a protocol, specific to correctional officers, on excited delirium (authored by Lieutenant Michael Paulus, ret.) Rather than abstract information, Safe Within the Walls is tactically based, from start to finish.
Genre: SOCIAL SCIENCE / PenologyTry to Get the Inmate to Sit Down. Pacing and stomping around is stimulating, and when you are standing, you are readier to fight. On the other hand, we associate sitting with peaceful communication. Have the inmate sit down, or a chair or bunk is not immediately available, have the inmate escorted to an area, i.e., watch commander’s office, counselor’s office, etc. where the inmate can sit and be contained away from the inmate general population. Should the inmate repeatedly rise out of their chair, the situation is obviously escalating. In any meeting when you both are seated, if the inmate stands, you should stand as well, because otherwise you are at an immediate disadvantage.
If Inmate Attempts to Disengage. In situations where you do not need to place the inmate in custody or restraint, and they try to disengage to cool down—let them. Assaults frequently occur when the inmate tries to disengage, but the correctional officer insists on working things out right now. Of course, if they must be detained for institutional or safety reasons, if the inmate is too enraged, or has overtly threatened to commit an act of violence after they leave, then safety becomes the correctional officer’s more immediate concern, and the inmate must be detained until the issue is resolved satisfactorily.
Honesty is usually the best way to go with inmates that are not out of control but are agitated. There have been many situations in which I have told an inmate that I can’t concentrate on what they are say if they wave their arms around while they are speaking. If they ask if I am scared (about them waving their arms around) I tell them I’m not scared but I am careful! But mostly I want to hear what they have to say and for me to be able to concentrate I need to not have their arms waving around my face.
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Spanish
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Already translated.
Translated by Kevin Acevedo
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Author review: Kevin did an excellent job. Based on the review of two critical readers, his translation was quite good. He reached all timelines, and was quite willing to consult. He was very accessible to communication regarding the book as well. |
