RunsWithCuffs

Bubble and squeak

Sheriff's Deputy and former CO here. Thanks for the AMA, I've found it really informative.

Based on your experience and observations, do you think most offenders want help? While I was working the jail I saw a different side of the inmates vs the staff that interacts with them on a short-term basis. Too many times I heard and saw an inmate manipulate medical staff if it helped their case.

Also, in your experience, are more offenders going to the Internet to help coordinate their crimes and does that have an effect on their recidivism?

Also, what do you think law enforcement could do to be more effective when working with these people?

Thanks again.

Edit: 3rd question

Yes, yes and yes. I could probably teach a college course on inmate manipulation. It's ranges from the smallest things like extra time on the phone to escape attempts (which are very rare).

Example. I had a guy, late 40's, 6', 240lbs, in and out of the system throughout his adult life for sex crimes. Eventually he caught a case and was facing 40 years so he built this elaborate medical problem. He started going through physical therapy at the local hospital. He was transported back and forth for months until one day he saw his opportunity, assulted the officer, and escaped. 2 weeks later the Marshalls picked him up 1/2 across the county. He's in for life now. Anyways, this is the most extreme of cases but in my state, the courts will generally reduce sentences if the inmate shows an innovative for treatment and recovery.

A lot of the time it's BS and the inmates know it. They know what judges to go see, they know the key words to say, and they know the right programs to go to in order to get that reduced sentence. Example. I worked a unit full of sex crime inmates. They had some therapy program and some 12 step program they had to complete and got a reduced sentence. It was BS, they constantly cheated on tests and HW, and a number of them, without fail, would get aggressive with the instructors if they called them on their BS and wanted them out of the program. One day a pedo cocked his fist back at a female teacher because he wasn't doing the work and instead of getting out in 6 months, he was going to lose the program and get out in 10 months. He was so pissed he didn't listen to me, even though I had a good rapport with him. I tried to grab him and control his arm but he violently pulled away and started toward the teacher again. I had to kick him as hard as I could in the IT band to get him away from the teacher. *Was my only option because I would have hit the teacher if I used pepper spray or the taser. Immediately sunk the guy and got him in cuffs. Well, he went to the case worker, stayed in the program, and got out 6 months later. I think he came back on a drug violation a couple months after but I'm not sure. He also tried to charge me with battery. Talk about manipulation.

What's your take on letting travelers in your bar?

Isn't it all psychological manipulation? You have to manipulate someone to manipulate the system.