Chapter 9 Resign or Termination

The question is to be are not to be? You have been played-you can't trust anyone-you hate coming to work-you are in a maze thinking there is no way out. - You keep three questions in mind.

1. Do I resign?

2. Do I wait and hear the out come of the investigation?

3. Do I attempt to transfer to another prison with a valid excuse?

If you resign-the only questions may be did you really do it-there may be a chance, you may be hired again with the state-but remember just like inmates talk, staff will talk. There is a slim chance you will be hired again if you resign. Rumors, gossip and lies will circulate about you. You are definitely in an uncomfortable position.

Your reputation as an officer is damaged beyond repair. What do you do?

Let me tell you, if there is anytime to open your mouth, now is the time. Whether you believe it or not-there is somebody you can trust.

Most Wardens or Superintendent have an open door policy. This is when you can disclose things in confidence. There is a possibility that they may even use you to set the inmate up. But it is never too late. Do not feel you are alone. Eventually, everyone makes a mistake or has been place in a compromising position.

Department thrives on training employees every year to keep them up on policies. Your supervisors, as one of their tasks is to make sure are doing your job professionally. If you look bad, they look bad. They are their to help you. So, don't fool yourself-report what you have done. Even, if you fell asleep on the job and the inmate wake you up before the supervisor see you. Play the inmate; let him know I am not worried about you reporting me because I planned to report myself. The same if you drop your keys and the inmate picks them up. Because an inmate knows he or she is not to pick up keys. Let your supervisor know.

The blackmail or the leverage that the inmate has on you is nothing if you report it to your supervisor.

If you resign or allow yourself to be terminated the inmate has won. It is sad to say it is often everyone remembers when something bad happen. You being fired or terminated will definitely go down in the history books as a loss for the Department of Corrections.