Commission Hears Testimony on CO’s Role – Los Angeles to Host Next Meeting

ST. LOUIS – A panel created to investigate safety and abuse in United States prisons is preparing for its final hearing in February before it creates a report based on the information it has gathered since its formation in March 2005.

The Commission on Safety and Abuse in America’s Prisons was created in the wake of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal in Iraq to investigate what is being done to safeguard U.S. correctional facilities from similar procedural violations.

At the 21-member commission’s third meeting in November in St. Louis, correctional officers described their work environment and conditions that are often unsafe for staff and prisoners.

“What we’re seeing is a vast but poorly understood workforce that shoulders tremendous responsibilities, many times without adequate leadership, training or resources,” commission co-chair Nicholas de B. Katzenbach, said at the hearing. “These failures harm prisoners, put officers in jeopardy, and ultimately have an impact on our society.”

In addition to testimony from corrections officers, a former prisoner, a prisoner’s wife, a former prison chaplain, state prison officials, prison academics and several others testified. Topics included an overview of the job duties of correctional officers, health and wellness of officers, use of force and training, American Correctional Association standards, and public and private prisons.

Lou West, a correctional officer at the St. Louis Justice Center, described what is expected of him when he shows up to his assigned pod where he is in charge of overseeing 67 inmates under direct supervision.

“In the pod, there’s no getting away from the inmates,” West told the commission. “I’m asked to address all their needs and to be ready for any emotional disturbance.”

Theodis Beck, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Corrections, emphasized the growing complexity of the job that corrections officer must face.

“Today’s correctional officer must be able to look at situations from an inmate’s perspective,” Beck said. “He must be in tune to the changing situation of aging inmates, know how to deal with offenders who may be suicidal, be able to recognize gang signs and colors, speak foreign languages, and be sensitive to issues involving supervision of offenders of the opposite sex.”

Kathleen Dennehy, who leads the Massachusetts prison system, stressed a need for better training that does not create a combative perspective among staff.

“For years, training has encouraged an us vs. them mentality,” Dennehy said. “The need for boundaries is imperative, the consequence of dehumanization is catastrophic.”

When the commission reconvenes in Los Angeles in February, it will focus on oversight, standards and other issues. At its first hearing in April, the commission was primed on what is known about safety failures, abuse, violence and use of force. At its second meeting, the commission examined policy and practices that create unsafe conditions.

The non-partisan commission is composed of former U.S. judges, academics, prison officials, prisoner rights advocates and politicians. It is funded and staffed by the Vera Institute of Justice, a research body that investigates issues in criminal justice.