A towel named Fee Fee

[riverfever]

So my g/f had a horrible time finding work when we moved here. She ended up taking a job where she does presentations on sex education. Turns out that many of the correctional facilities in the area hire her out. So she's gotten to know everything from the minimum security facilities all the way to the Super Max down in Canon City real well. So last week she went to a prison where she presented to a large group (sometimes as big as 80) at a drug treatment facility.

These guys get transported to a building by a bus and are allowed to have smoke breaks during her lecture. Last week she had a note on her car from one of the inmates. Just said, "Thought I might catch you at the car but I guess not". Tonight there's another saying, "I think of you when I'm with Fee Fee." She takes the note and gives it to the warden and so I guess they're gonna dust it for prints. The warden said that the inmates make a.....ummmmm.....receptacle to finish off in (how's that mods :) ). They name what usually is a towel, Fee Fee. I think it's :bs:that these guys are in prison but yet can roam around a parking lot. I feel badly that she is having to do this sh!t. We're hoping that she'll get a school social work job here in a few months. Nonetheless I do worry about her. Just venting.

[DrMoab]

Sucks to have your wife working with low lifes huh? Been there done that. My wife works for DWS and she just got through doing a program where she was trying to find jobs for guys who just got out of prison.

One day she had this dude in her office who kept commenting on our daughters picture....saying how beautiful she was and just wouldn't shut up.

Come to find out the guy was just out of prison for Child sex crimes.

My wife took all the pics of our kids off her walls after that. It really bothered her. I wanted to find him and cut his testicles off.

[mdl]

That's kinda creapy... Anyways what exactly is she qualified to do? Or.. what would be her official title?

[riverfever]

That's terrible Doc. I know when mine comes home she usually showers right away b/c she feels so degraded. She tries to talk and stick with her presentation but a hand will go up and someone a$$hat inmate will tell her she has a nice rack and he'll think of it later.

I'm just not sure if I see much of a point to our correctional facilities. It'd be nice if we could think that our tax money supported something good and, statistically speaking, it very well might....I don't know enough. It's just that this is not irregular...it's 3 times a week or more. I know...someone will say it...she DID take the job and shame on her. She's learned a lot and it's something nice to add to the resume. I'm sure I'm not in the correct frame of mind to debate our correctional facilities...and I'm biased. I'm just a little agitated.

[DrMoab]

That's kinda creapy... Anyways what exactly is she qualified to do? Or.. what would be her official title?
Me or Riverfevor? My wife is an employment counceler. Now she is working with lower income people who are trying to go to school. At least these people are happy for the help they get and normaly aren't as creepy.

[riverfever]

That's kinda creapy... Anyways what exactly is she qualified to do? Or.. what would be her official title?

She is an LCSW. Social worker. In MO she ran an Independent Living Program. We met at a facility for adolescents. I've dealt with some sick kids and so has she so we're not easily rattled. She would just much rather work with kids than adults. I tend to think you reach a point where things are a LOT less salvageable I guess. I do think it's unacceptable to do that to a woman though, with the sexual notes and all. Who's to say one wont miss the bus and be under her XJ? We've had the whole CCW talk but she doesn't like guns. It wont be much longer...a social work job just opened up down in Springs so hopefully she'll get called for an interview.

[mdl]

Social workers deffinatly do not have it easy. Career change for her? Sounds like its not working out.

doc, that was intended for riverfever, but you posted right before i posted mine. That question goes for you now too :)

[GSequoia]

Riverboy...

I'd talk her into carring the most potent mace/pepper spray allowed by law. Also have her practice using it so that she doesn't have to think about if she ever had to use it.

I agree that the prison systems are in bad shape but that's a different rant I don't know the answer to...

[OT]

I worked as a guard for the Ok DOC for four years.
I've seen people killed in front of me and found many others dead.
Been swiped at with blades three times.
I've been assaulted four times, all of which resulted in me having to throw down until backup arrived.
Of course I worked in the disciplinary unit and ran a unit on death row by the time I left.
I've seen nurses treated like pieces of meat and it's not pretty.
My wife worked as a night nurse at a medium security facility for six months and I hated every minute of it for her, but at least it was while they were locked down.
I would never have allowed her to work at the high max penitentiary I was at, just because of the atmosphere and the calibre of convict that was there.
Personally, I think a men's prison is no place for a woman, PERIOD.
Don't allow her to work there much longer, for her own good.
She's working in a ticking timebomb.
Is it worth the risk?
Take my advice for what it's worth, but I have seen the other side and it ain't pretty.

[riverfever]

That's actually a really good idea. I don't know why I hadn't considered that. I guess I was worried so much about her that I overlooked a pretty simple/ideal solution. Thank you...I will start looking for some tomorrow.

[OT]

Riverboy...

I'd talk her into carring the most potent mace/pepper spray allowed by law. Also have her practice using it so that she doesn't have to think about if she ever had to use it.

I agree that the prison systems are in bad shape but that's a different rant I don't know the answer to...
Most places don't allow anyone to carry anything but keys and a flashlight.
Even less for a civilian.

[riverfever]

I feel the same way about her working there as you did for you wife, T. We hope it's only for a few more months. It is a few months too long though.

I know I can get pepper spray or bear spray probably at REI. The stuff that Police Officers use has got to be stronger. Can anyone recommend a place to go for it? A brand or something? I actually wouldn't mind having a canister on my wader belt when I'm in some remote places as the bears will probably be waking up sometime soon and they'll be hungry.

[riverfever]

Most places don't allow anyone to carry anything but keys and a flashlight.
Even less for a civilian.

Crap....you're right. When she goes into the Super Max they do a body search and she can't bring chit in...even slides...or condoms. See...that's the scary part is she can't have anything.

They had told her that she would have an armed gaurd in the room at Canon City and when she got there she found out she was going in alone. They asked her if she wanted a body alarm. Being new to that kind of scene, she asked why...what's that? They told her it was for if anyone came at her and grabbed her or knocked the walkie out of her hand. All the while there's guys in the next room (library) standing at the windows jackin' off and doing all kinds of wonderful things. She's a tough gal. She could def. kick Mr. T's a$$.

[jwtrapper]

I cant understand why they leave her alone. I have worked state and now work Federal corrections it sounds like they are slacking. If an inmate is doing something wrong she needs to let someone know so that it can be taken care of. I have never met an officer (gaurd) that would allow an inmate to disrespect a female that way. Thats a bad deal and she should never have to put up with any crap from an inmate.

[ladywolf]

dude, get her the hell outta there. anything is better'n that.

[klonestar]

Riverboy...
I agree that the prison systems are in bad shape but that's a different rant I don't know the answer to...

The answer is: Restorative Justice!

I was a counselor and program facilitator at such a place and we averaged a 60-85% success rate! Only one of its kind that im aware of with this success rate.

Theres a lot to it and its not for everyone but it works for those who "want" to change their lifestyles and dont know how to.

Prison privatization is the worst concept on the market today!

Your wife is a brave soul and my hat goes off to her! There should be enforced mandatory punishment for these types of infractions! Period! One chance and no more civilian programs! I know its not that easy though.

She should have pepper spray in her car though! Better yet leave it in the locker in the institution so she has it on her walking out.

When I volunteered on the "inside" and a guy would make trouble I didnt have much of a problem asking everyone else for "legal" assistance! The trouble maker either changed his ways or didnt show up again! Once the guys knew where I was coming from I didnt need to ask for help anymore, its just got taken care of on its own. Im not talking about further trouble making either. On the contrary, it was taken care of respectfully!

Good luck!

[riverfever]

I cant understand why they leave her alone. I have worked state and now work Federal corrections it sounds like they are slacking. If an inmate is doing something wrong she needs to let someone know so that it can be taken care of. I have never met an officer (gaurd) that would allow an inmate to disrespect a female that way. Thats a bad deal and she should never have to put up with any crap from an inmate.

I definitely felt that they should have had someone sitting in on the presentation in Canon City. It was 2 hours and she didn't do anything but dodge personal questions and statements of what I would consider kind of threatening and just generally creepy that WE all know is completely unacceptable under the general guidelines of society.


At one of the places (yesterday) the inmates are all outside smoking when she gets there. They run over to her car to see if she needs help. I don't think that's OK and I think someone from the prison should help her feel for at ease for coming and doing the seminar in the first place.

I see you're in Pueblo West. Where is that? I know she visits many of the facilities in Pueblo. Should she demand for some more secure situations? Like I said...she's the toughest gal I've ever met but even she get's tired of all the comments about what they'd do to her and how big her rack is, etc. She usually just tells them that she's not there to talk about her and could they move on. But it continues. It's sad b/c she really is excellent at what she does and this job just doesn't suit the needs.

[Dirt]

She should absolutley demand an escort from her car to the meeting and back. That shouldn't be a problem. Every one of those assholes is there for a reason. Don't have any regrets or "if only I would have".

[Spudboy]

They had told her that she would have an armed gaurd in the room at Canon City and when she got there she found out she was going in alone.

This really struck me as odd and wrong. Why would anyone with a brain put a relatively defenseless female alone in a room with a bunch of male prisoners. My suspicion is there was probably a bunch of a**hat guards watching on the cctv to see what she would do and laugh at the questions. Not saying she can't take care of herself, but how long would she be able to hold off a room full of guys with ill-intent.:flamemad:

Hope she can get out of that gig soon.

Spudboy

[87manche]

I definitely agree that she would need an escort from her car. I can't believe that the inmates have access to the parking lot, that's just insane!

[jeepinandy]

how long would she be able to hold off a room full of guys with ill-intent.:flamemad:

Hope she can get out of that gig soon.

Spudboy


I totally agree with that.. Her in there unguarded some of them could probably pretty easily block the door.. I'm sorry but it just horrifies me to think about it.
They are there for a reason.

Why should they receive ANY interactions with ANYone from the outside.

ASPECIALLY a female in an all male facility as someone else posted.
I'm not saying that she can't handle herself, but a room full of low life scum and a dude out on the street is a whole different story..
Please get her out of there..

IMO flipping burgers would be a better job than that..

[Beej]

She's a tough gal. She could def. kick Mr. T's a$$.
:gag::gag::gag::gag::gag::gag::gag::gag::gag::gag: :gag::gag::gag::gag:

[jwtrapper]

Yes I'm in Pueblo West but I work at the Federal Prison in Florence, before this I worked for the State Prison in Buena Vista.
As far as the inmates smoking in the parking lot.... The state has been tobacco free for years now and they should not be smoking. She should be considered as an "Escorted Contractor" and being escorted by an officer from the front gate, front lobby, or the control center to where she is conducting her class. If this is not happening she can speak with the Captain running the shift. Does her supervisor know how she is being treated? They also need to contact the Captain, Chief of Security, Associate Warden and then the Warden if she can not get some assistance.
With inmates it’s a respect issue. As long as the inmates are respectable they get respect back and it goes both ways. As soon as that is broken the inmate needs to be taken care of and removed from the class. If she has a radio she can call the Corridor Officer, Compound Office or Yard Officer (just depends on the facility). When she walks through control have her ask the officers in control about whom to contact if she has an inmate acting up in her class. But then again it all comes back to her escort the she is supposed to have with her.


My suspicion is there was probably a bunch of a**hat guards watching on the cctv to see what she would do and laugh at the questions.
Spudboy

I really doubt this is the case. Officers or "Guards” get a bad rep from TV programs, movies and the media. Sure there are bad apples every where and I have seen my share but as far as a bunch of a**hat guards sitting around on their buts getting a kick out of watching the contractor sweat bullets is bs, it just doesn’t happen like that.

Do you know the name of the facility she is having all of the problems with?

[Spudboy]

I hope you are right. I wasn't really trying to stereotype the guards, it's just hard for me to imagine why anyone would allow this situation to happen.

Spudboy