Are most prison officers on a power trip when they strip search inmates?
Police and prison officers seem to have a great deal of power and control in their hands, especially when they conduct strip searches of new inmates. The new prisoner is obviously very vulnerable in a situation such as this, so I was wondering how common it is for officers to be on power trips during strip searches? On some level, do officers look forward to the opportunity of humiliating a convict, or do they feel that the process is awkward and uncomfortable?
Nope. They are doing what they have to do in order to ensure that no contraband is smuggled into the prison.
The prison officers are trying to prevent drugs from entering the facility.
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That’s the idea, to make the prisoner feel very vulnerable. The police and prison guards have to be in control of the situation.
They do it in a professional way. It’s part of the job, they will do it, and they will be in control.
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Nope. They are doing what they have to do in order to ensure that no contraband is smuggled into the prison.
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all most no one wants to look at some ones ass hole every day it’s just part of the job, it’s probably the one time power trip is not included, for those who think they can never be locked up even for a night wake up it’s not only the guilty that get arrested.
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We don’t really enjoy doing strip searches, but it’s required for the safety of the facility.
And while yes, it’s awkward, it’s awkard for both the inmate and the officer. I say THE officer because we keep it down to a minimum when people watch so it gets over with as quickly as possible.
I’ve seen enough male genitalia due to strip searches and Urinalysis that I can tell you ALL prison officers just go dead inside, get the job done and move on. It’s not enjoyable, but it’s required since so many inmates try and keester things into the prison or different sections of the prison.
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Officers are merely doing their job when conducting strip searches. Like another poster stated, the officers become numb to the process. The first few times its embarrassing for both inmate and officer, but it becomes normal.
It’s no different than the first few times you had to shower or change in front of other people in high school or college for PE. By the end of HS or college everyone felt comfortable showering and changing in front of each other.
Just remember that strip searches are conducted to prevent inmates from bringing contraband into prison. This includes weapons, cell phones, drugs, etc….. Strip searches only started because inmates were using their man purse (bum). If it wasn’t for that, there would not be a need to bend over and cough 3 times.
There are also inmates who get a thrill out of exposing themselves to all staff of both genders. These inmates known as IEX (Indecent Exposure) that will purposely be exposing their genital or anus as an Officer, or Medical Staff walk by. One could say these inmates are on a power trip.
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Experience
From the other side of the fence! Most guards could care less about prison searches in general. At first, as previously stated, it is awkward then it becomes like brushing your teeth. While contraband is the primary excuse for strip searching it is really not all that productive. Small items might be found and even a good piece of contraband every now and then but, the real reason for strip searches is debasement and control on an institutional level. Individual guards might have some mental issue on occasion as well as offenders but, they are the minority. Generally a strip search is the prison’s way of reminding you that at anytime they are in control and can literally strip you of everything.
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Experience