Hacker News Reader

This is very interesting. I wish I could read more about it.

Is this true of minimum-security prisons too?

I'm not sure in regards to the type of facility that the guards I spoke to worked at. One was definitely a jail, so this was pre-conviction, don't know the security level. Essentially, it's an unspoken agreement between the guards and inmates. The guards allow certain things, the inmates don't cause trouble. Without an agreement like this, the guards are outnumbered and it's practically impossible to keep the peace. So I was told anyhow.

There are many ways to justify evil.

Motherjones had a reporter get a job as a prison guard. His experience was similar: if he doesn't play nice with the inmates they will make his life hell. This was at a private prison, so the under-staffing issue might be more pronounced, but the principle applies.

The problem starts when a guard yells at an inmate without provocation.

Such action should be grounds for termination.

But yes, you need a good culture to start with, and you need trained personal to establish that.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com