Something puzzles me: Why are there so many ****s in prison when they have guards...

[lynn]

...with guns and mace and? whatever else they have to control the inmates? Any thoughts on this?

[Nancy B]

As a retired Correctional Officer, 15 years rank of Captain, people who think officials control prisons are very misinformed. Think about it offenders outnumber Officers at least 50 to 1. Most offenders just want to do their time as quietly as possible and get on with their lives. They receive on demand medical attention, 3 hot meals, a clean bed, clothes, entertainment, educational opportunities, recreation, social interaction with visitors of their choice, jobs for which they earn (very little to us 45 cents to 11 dollars a day) which they can spend in the prison store). Officers do not carry weapons inside the prison as they could become the instrument of their own harm if taken by offenders. Weapons are only handed out when absolutely necessary for control and security of the institution, population, visitors and staff. Their best weapon is their wits and their reputation with the population. Officers cannot be everywhere and offenders have 24hrs 7 days a week to figure out how to get around them. Areas of high risk have more security but even so there is always a way. Unfortunately these things happen and not always to the offenders.