Correction Officers Under Appreciated, Important, Valued.

I have spent most of my life in jails and prisons coast-to-coast.

Since my first experiences in Riker's Island and New York State prisons from the 1980's until 1990's; California jails and prisons in the 2000's and now in Massachusetts, Correction Officers remain dedicated under appreciated and human. It's too easy to write about one bad apple - but the vast majority of Correction officers are dedicated men and women. People who wake up, stand a post and make rounds, day in and day out.

Lately, the criticism of Correction Officers has been the result of isolated, ugly, egregious episodes. Reprehensible conduct captured on video, death, beatings and abuses. But, the public never witness the hard working decent officer's who serve and protect the most vulnerable. Courageous professionals who break up fights, protests and riots involving some of the angriest, meanest and physically imposing individuals ever captured and serving time under the cruelest conditions.

Many readers of this newsletter may remark my representation of Correction Officers as cruel, incompetent or malicious is too common. And, sadly, I am guilty of reacting to low hanging fruit. It's easy to target and criticize one or a few Officers. It is important the public - and my readers - know over the many decades my experiences have been largely good. Inspiring. And, I can count negative experiences on one - or both hands. But, the point is, negative experiences remain in the minority.

I received a college education behind bars - in New York. I learned about wood working in Massachusetts; I learned to sew and make tee-shirts in California. I was protected by Correction Officers. And, Correction Officers professionally managed housing units, medication lines, feed me and thousands three times a day - all week, all year!

And, every step along the way conscientious Correction Officers helped me and thousands of others. These are officers doing a thankless job with dignity. And, many thousands of incarcerated people have benefited from their guidance and diligence.

So, remember when reading this newsletters, and stories about Correction Officers - these are dedicated human beings. People doing a thankless job under difficult circumstances. Each obeying a strict chain of command. Men and women who must deal with real thugs, vulnerable inmates, the cruel and kind. And, each shift can bring a protest, riot, fight or something that would unnerve most people living in civil society.

So, please accept this newsletter as my acknowledgement and recognition of the many men and women who show up on time and stand a post and protect the most vulnerable, battle the most cruel, and change lives and make a very real difference.