In response to my buddy's pm he sent me:
The term "prison guard" outlived it's usefullness back in the 60's when the field evolved. Now Correctional Officers is the appropriate term. Back in the "Shawshank Days", officers did not have 40 hr classes on mental health, policies and procedures..etc. They were not required to maintain a yearly certificaton on various weapons. "Guards" did not have to maintain a yearly FEMA certification with regards to incident command and natural disasters. Guards did not have to access computer records on a daily basis (the "white-shirts" were the only ones who had that clearance). There are many other differences, but I just hit on a few. I respect any man or woman that works for a living. I respect what they do, and address them appropriately. Correctional Officers only ask the same in return.
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Just as the men and women in blue attend roll call before their tour of duty,
so do we, but instead of being armed with pistols, we are armed with whistles.
Just as the men and women in blue, we too do not know
if we will greet our loved ones at the end of the day.
It takes a correctional officer to deal with society's undesirables, the
overcrowding of prisons, the thanklessness of the public and to efficiently
carry out the duties of a job that so many criticize and so little want.
During our tour of duty not only are we correctional officers we are also; police officers,
firepersons, suicide watch, coroners, nurses, counselors, computer operators, mailpersons,
newspaper delivery persons, the united parcel service, and more......
And with all of this in mind at the beginning of our tour...
We will stand tall beneath our hats.
With pride we wear our shields.
And with unity, integrity, and professionalism,
Like soldiers we march side by side into our unpredictable institutions both
Bona fide and qualified to handle any situation that may erupt.
So please, do not call us "prison guards"
Acknowledge us as professionals
And address us as correctional officers.
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