[QUOTE=brownie55]
Has Lissa ever explained why her husband, The Prison Guard (or Deputy Warden, now), gets to go on police raids. In every jurisdiction I am familiar with, these are separate roles in the criminal justice system as they say on Law and Order.
Since we in the US have the highest incarceration rate in the civilized world, it can’t be that he needs the business. Frankly, it seems to me that the level of danger executing his normal job would be higher if some con recognized him from that con’s initial bust.
So, how does what is essentially a civilian from the police perspective end up busting down doors? Does he get to carry a firearm, and what statute allows it if he does? He would not be considered a sworn officer here, and would not have the training to support legitimate LEOs.
I find this whole line of involvement irregular. Bottom line: What is some wannabe doing on real arrests? What arrest power does he have if he catches some perp sneaking out the side door? Why the hell is he there in the first place.
[/QUOTE]
Yes, I have addresed my husband’s involvement before, probably hundreds of times. But, I will do so again.
I know you are trying to make me angry by calling him a guard, enjoy yourself along with Catsix. The funny thing is that you are even using an outdated term which simply shows your complete lack of knowledge on the subject. They are called Corrections Officers, not guards. However, my husband is not, nor has he ever been, a Corrections Officer.
Now, the reason why my husband has been on raids and search warrants, including reversals, is because he used to be an investigator with the Department. Much of the crime that occurs inside of a prison is linked to external criminal elements. For example, for every illegal drug inside of a prison, there is a person who must convey it, or lend assistance in the conveyance. For every gang member in the prison, there are typically street leaders who order activities.
Thus, inherent in the job to enforce the law inside of the prison, comes a responsibility to join up in partnerships with local law enforcement, including, but not limited to, parole/probation, local police and especially the state police. My husband has helped catch potential escapees, those who have escaped, rapists, child molesters, murderers and people who choose to help convey drugs into a correctional facility. His old office, when he was in this role, was the same office as the State Police.
Thank god we have people like him, and the thousands of others, who realize a simple fact that has eluded you: Prisoners, and parolees, continue to commit crimes and talk about their crimes, even after they are incarcerated. Furthermore, these crimes effect the community by victimizing its members.
For the record, he is very enlightened about drug laws and is one of the few outspoken in his field against the War on Drugs. He lectures on the subject and has even written a book on the social construction of drug laws. Although he still argues for the prohibition of narcotics in prisons, he has long supported the notion of ending this unwinnable war. One, which he feels erodes civil liberties and increases incarceration rates by up to 30-50%. It also improperly targets the lower class by criminalizing substances that are primarily used by the lower class and continuing a tradition of criminalizing the powerless. So, he is not some jack-booted, nazi thug. He helps enforce the law that the members of this Republic create. As a public servant, he does not feel it is his right to selectively enforce the law based on his personal opinions. This is why he has been a part of execution teams even though he does not personally support the death penalty, or life without the possibility of parole or conditional release, for that matter.
His role is more limited now, but because of his roots, and the fact that he is in charge of all security in the facility, he still lends assistance when necessary. For him, it is regrettable though, that he usually bows out when it comes to serving the warrants anymore. He still has the authority to participate, but the operation and management of a prison takes higher priority, typically. Still, sometimes, he may go out in the field, but not normally.
Once again, I know your “wannabe” statement is designed to anger, but alas, facts outweigh fiction. When he did participate in these activities he was under the authority of the state police and had to follow the same rules and regulations. He had to qualify with weapons and be trained just like anyone else.
Any perpetrator, for him to be involved, must be related to an internal case. This gives them jurisdiction. The use of froce policies are established and set in law.
It is regrettable that you get your information about the Criminal Justice System, as you say, by watching “Law and Order”. Perhaps this will assist in understanding it all a little better.
Now, as for the OP. I have laid out my arguments and I have received many insults in response. That is cool, it is the pit and all. But, the focus has turned personal rather than on the subject and I am going to bow out.
In the end, I have simply called for the holding back of judgment until the facts are in. I have demonstrated how many, not all mind you, of the opinions against the police, in this case, are spurned by a hatred for the police in general. Thus, that is where I will end this debate, or pitting as it is.
As my husband has always told me, and he carries this concern with him everyday.
“I must make life and death decisions on a daily basis. I assure you, that after I make a decision that results in public attention, I will be questioned, maligned, vilified and second-guessed. I welcome being questioned, that is my job. As a public servant, I welcome it and believe that questioning authority is inherent in the maintenace of a free society. However, I remind all parties that hindsight is 20/20 and irrational hatred for anyone with authority breeds irrational assertions, jumping to conclusions and false judgments. To many of those people, I sarcastically declare, don’t let the facts get in the way- go with what you feel, it is what you intended to do in the first place.”