How do we stop Prison Guard corruption ?

[stdaveuk]

How the hell do so many drugs and contraband get into prisons ? The majority of prison guards must be corrupt and on the take from the prisoners families and friends.
I met a prison guard from Belmarsh prison in my local pub, one sunday. He openly admitted that he was an alcoholic, and after every shift would go straight to his local and spend all day and part of the evening drinking (he seemed quite proud of it actually). The man was, as you can imagine, not in the best physical shape, but his job was to look after some of the countries most dangerous criminals. He also boasted how he had paid cash for his brand new car, though his wife hushed him up before he was able to spill anymore details. I was disgusted that somebody like this was i such an important position as prison guard.
I believe that prison guards should have physicals regularly, and even better, we should emply ex-military into these positions.
What do you think ?

[Mikkie]

I think that prison guards are a joke of a job compared to jobs which really matter: e.g. doctors.

[LIBERALS HAPPEN]

I think ex-military is a great idea...they already know a thing or two about combat.
As far as this guy goes...did it ever occur to you that maybe the only true thing he told you was that he is an alcoholic?...Honestly, he just sounds like a drunk who is slurring off a load of crap...
Theres nothing more dishonest than a drunk with a chip on his shoulder...LOL...*

[numbnusto v]

A lot of prisoners have mates on the outside very violent mates so it can be easier to ignore some weed being passed than worrying if your wife will be ok when when your on the night shift. Long Kesh/the Maze Just outside of Belfast once one of the most heavily fortified maximum security prisons in the world. Loyalist terrorists had no trouble getting weed or drink for the twelfth of July, The INLA were able to get a gun smuggled in to kill a leading loyalist terrorist. Nobody knows how but they still managed it. A threat from the outside works a lot quicker than greasing somebodys palm.

[princessbi2006]

They're prison officers, not guards, and actually have more varied jobs than just guarding prisoners.

But actually, they do continue to have physical tests and training throughout their careers. Often due to the shortage of prison officers there isn't always time for these sorts of things, particularly updated training, though it has improved in recent years. For example, all officers working in the juvenile estate (under 18s) must work towards an NVQ.

As someone who is not only responsible for security, but for rehabilitiation and to a certain degree for the emotional and physical wellbeing of prisoners in their care, the example you gave is obviously someone who shouldn't be working in the prison service. I'm disgusted too that he's in an important position. If you had any evidence that he'd been involved in any illegal activities, I'd say report him to the police.

While prison officers jobs are not easy, and many aspects can conflict with others, and they have problems with limited resources, low pay and staff shortages, the prisons in the Uk are in a bad enough stage without prison officers who aren't doing their job properly. The main problem, in my opinion, is that the services' approach towards prison staff, particularly towards qualifications and hiring policies, has changed, and yet there are many officers who joined the prison service many years ago and haven't recieved enough updated training and still retain very outdated attitudes.

[Evil J]

replace them with laser guided robots

[Natasha B]

i think you are right
i would not dismiss his words i know first hand at what guards are capable of and a lot of that stuff would not get in if they did not look the other way
or actively participate in these crimes

but not all guards are bad and you should also remember that all military is not good

every group has their rotten eggs
so there is no guarantee that the same problems would not exist

[nunnaurbiz]

I hear ya man, my neighbor is a prison guard and the only difference between him and the crooks is that at the end of the day,this punk gets to go home.He has admitted openly to taking his weed in there for sale.I work much harder then he does.I make more employment income then he does yet he has all the newest toys.hmmmm. But no one seems to notice or care.I'm paying for my house and he is mortgage free.Maybe I need a career change.

[James M]

"The majority of prison guards must be corrupt and on the take....." Thats a sweeping generalisation to end all sweeping generalisations eh?
Like many huge organisations, there will be the few that are "on the take". Thats life man. It happens.From The White House to your local dustbin man,palms are being greased and folk are making a buck on the side.
I aint sure that employing ex-military is the answer. I'd wager that there is a few bad apples in the forces.Just as i'd imagine there's a few alcoholics in the services.
Re the physical debate- I thought that they,(guards), had to demonstrate a certain level o fitness in a yearly medical?

[hoovarted]

Why don't you stop sqwaking and YOU go do the job.
Let me guess?
You're too special for a job like that and you might get hurt.
Where I come from it's called putting your money where your mouth is!
So instead of all the "singin" why don't you do a little "bringin".
YOU get a job as a prison guard and YOU show us all how to do it.