The Correctional Bubble: Inmates, Correction Officers, and the inevitable problems.
We have often discussed in our class topics and discussion about those suffering from PTSD. We know how difficult it is for those who are suffering from PTSD to receive help and the right treatments to help them get through their difficult times. When we think about the countless Americans that suffer from some sort of traumatic experience and even PTSD, we see that the numbers are staggering. According to the Sidran Institute An estimated 70 percent of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives and up to 20 percent of these people go on to develop posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD (Sidran, PTSD Fact Sheet. 2017). Some more statistics that can be shown include approximately 8 percent of all adults, 1 of 13 people in this country, will develop PTSD during their lifetime. Lastly, we see that an estimated 1 out of 10 women will get PTSD at some time in their lives. Women are about twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. (Sidran, PTSD Fact Sheet. 2017) After learning about some of the statistics that come with PTSD, we can obviously see the dangers that come with PTSD or even experiencing some aspect of trauma. If it goes untreated, it could lead to some serious problems. PTSD can also lead to extreme trauma, which like the other stated above will have terrible outcomes socially, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. I bring this up not only because we have discussed and debated PTSD within our class, I also bring it up because I have experienced what PTSD can do to a person first hand.
While growing up, my first cousin was incarcerated for a little over 10 years. One can tell from his current actions that being in jail changed him for the worst. His actions, demeanor, and all his traits have changed. When I asked him, what was wrong with him now, he basically explained to me that he had witnessed and been involved in things that would freak the normal person out. As we spoke, he told recollections of times where inmates had been severely beaten up, inmates stabbed to death in front of him, spending weeks at a time in solitary confinement, and so many other horrendous things. He explained to me that experiencing these things have made him a different person. He claimed 10 years of always looking over your shoulder, getting into fights with guards and inmates, as well of the fact that families tend to lose touch with inmates after a certain period of time has passed. This can have a devastating toll on the inmate both mentally and emotionally. He also had troubles at first readjusting to freedom essentially. He spent 10 years with someone controlling his every move. Telling him what time to wake up, when to eat, when to shower, and all other things that people should have personal control over. One of the points of this post is to show the lack of resources that have been put out to those who need it. When a person has experienced trauma and may have even developed some type of PTSD, they are in desperate need of help. This was evident with my cousin who suffered from flashbacks, would have emotional outbursts and attack his family both physically and with words. He would always react if someone was walking behind him and at times rarely slept because he didn’t want to experience any recollections of his time in prison.
We have seen as a country that in most areas we lack resources to help not only veterans but inmates and former inmates as well. A 2018 poll showed us that within three years of release, about two-thirds (67.8 percent) of released prisoners were rearrested. Within five years of release, about three-quarters (76.6 percent) of released prisoners were rearrested (Recidivism rates. National Institute of Justice. 2018). These staggering number are not just because companies and jobs refuse to hire offenders, it is also due to the fact that inmates who get out end of developing some sort of PTSD or the lingering effects of traumatic experiences. While researching about inmates with PTSD, I stumbled upon some information that was actually shocking to me. Along with inmates like my cousin, prison employees develop signs of PTSD as similar rates as war veterans. According to the American Journal of Industrial Medicine “Prison work is harrowing, researchers said, and employees face some of the “toughest working conditions of U.S. workers,” lead author Lois James said in a statement. Staff surveyed constantly feared for their safety at work, and almost half of them witnessed a co-worker’s beating at an inmate’s hands. Female and black employees were more likely to suffer from PTSD as a result of their work, as were staffers of more than 10 years. Results were consistent for workers in all areas of the prison, including minimum and maximum-security areas (American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2016). To know that 35% of inmates as well as 10% of correctional officers contemplate suicide. These numbers are very alarming and definitely needs intervention. We see what causes traumatic feelings and PTSD, there is another group that also experiences this, that most people would think of.
With everything being said, one of the main purposes of this post is to show that the correctional network is responsible for developing traumatic feeling and PTSD for people within their bubble at an alarming rate. People involved in this line of work develop these issues during work, which is ridiculous to me. We also see how inmates are extremely likely to develop instances of PTSD and other traumatic feelings. How can one of the branches of justice be so potent in the development of these things and there is little to no action being taken place to combat it? In my opinion, prison systems should be used for inmates to repay their dues to society after breaking the law. It also should be a place where ideas and help is given to those involved. This help will allow those to know the error of their ways, in order for them not to place themselves in similar situations. To wrap up this blog post, I think immediate action should be taken place with regards to helping people in prisons, and those who help maintain it. It is difficult to think that people who go in with hopes of rehabilitation as well as paying their dues, as well as those seeking good job opportunities, and both groups end up with serious problems. Before researching these problems as well as taking time to spend time with my cousin, I didn’t think this was the case at all. It’s a serious problem that must be dealt with.
References:
National Institute of Justice. Recidivism Rates. Office of Justice Programs. 810 Seventh Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531. 2017
Sidran Institute. Traumatic Stress Education and Advocacy. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Fact Sheet. 2018
Scottie Andrew. Newsweek. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. PRISON EMPLOYEES FACE SAME RATES OF PTSD AS WAR VETERANS, NEW RESEARCH CLAIMS. 2017