Responding to the Prison Employee-Hostage as a Crime Victim (From Correctional Officers - Power, Pressure and Responsibility, P 17-24, 1983, Julie N Tucker, ed. - See NCJ-100052)

• NCJ Number: 100055
• Author(s): E J Donovan
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This article examines situations in which correctional personnel may be held hostage, identifies training needs for potential hostage situations, and provides guidelines for debriefing the hostage/victim.

Abstract

For correctional personnel, hostage-taking situations are likely to arise in prison riots, aborted escape attempts, or in dealing with the politically motivated or emotionally disturbed prisoner. Because being taken hostage is an extremely traumatic and psychologically damaging event, employees should be provided with training that covers behaviors common in hostage situations, provides reassurance, and teaches survival skills. After release, hostage/employees should be treated as victims of a serious crime. Debriefings should be carefully planned, and the hostage's well-being should be foremost. Debriefing can be conducted by someone of a slightly higher ranks; other possibilities include the prison chaplain, a psychologist, or former hostages. Whoever conducts the debriefing must be sensitive, compassionate, and patient and be prepared to deal with a range of emotions, including fear, anger, guilt, and pride. 11 references.