I try not to bring my work life home, nor my home life to work. It is like the Mc DLT. The hot side stays hot, and the cold side cold. But, yesterday was a crap day. I feel a lot better today, but after this little rare vent I will be over it.

So for those of you who do not know, I am a Correctional Officer (aka Jailer, Guard, and Turn Key). Yesterday while at work, I was escorting an Inmate to the Safety Cell (read rubber room, and yes it is all rubber). While escorting this wonderful human being, he chose to show his gratitude towards me by spitting in my face. His spit got into my mouth and eyes.

After, placing him "gently" into the Safety Cell, I went to the Hospital and was given some eye drops that burn my eyes. I have to use every 2 hours. Tomorrow I have to get blood work done, and then they force that wonderful person to donate his blood for testing as well. With any luck, he will not have any diseases.

In my 14 years in Law Enforcement and Corrections, I have been assaulted 4 times. I have been in 1 incident that involved a fatality. None of that really got to me. This did. I was so fricken pissed, and there is absolutely nothing I can do. I think that is the part that gets me. This guy got me in a way I can not really defend, and there is nothing I can do about it.

After speaking to a micro biologist today, I am assured that my chance of contracting anything is extremely remote, if it is possible at all. I felt a lot better after that.

Anyway, I was merely venting. I know that I chose my profession, and I know what it entails. I thank you for your time.


***steps down off of the soap box***

That really sucks. Hope everything is ok!

In all seriousness, that sounds really hard to deal with. Good for you for taking on a job like that.

All seriousness aside, is The Green Mile one of your favorite movies too?

I feel ya bro. That sort of thing would really get after me too. The blatant disrespect is what would get me down. I watch shows like Cops and Jail and all that and often wonder why people do what they do, on both sides of the law but mostly on the criminal side. Very rarely do you see the criminals that say "Ahhhh hahaha! YA GOT ME!" and go along peacefully with whatever process needs to happen.

I'm happy to say that if I ever chose such a lifestyle I would be that kind of guy.

Also PS, I would be the best drug runner ever. Why is it that when people have $100,000 worth of drugs in their car they get pulled over for something stupid like a tail light or speeding. Dumbasses.

Yep. To me its not so much the disrespect, because lord knows how much respect I really deserve, but I just am boggled by what certain people will do in certain situations. When the shit hits the fan and theres nothing left but your balls to the wall, the way in which people act can sometimes be completely unexplainable. Thats what really gets me about people, and also what really makes it okay in my mind to do what I do: chances are that when you wax someone, they're a freaking idiot and Darwin was behind it all.

I'm drunk and need to go to bed.

Good night.

Hang in there, Beefy.

Drink a whole freakin' tub of tabasco. It'll make you feel better.

Just to prove that you're the man, yo.

Hope it all works out, Beefy!!

Yeah, I'm sorry about this! All the cookies in the world wouldn't be able to calm my brain down after that. :( Hope everything turns out okay! *hugs*

Yikes. That sucks. I can relate to that "Oh shit" feeling...I accidentally stuck myself once when I was working as a phlebotomist. Fortunately the guy whose blood I was drawing was disease-free. Still, that was my own damn fault and not someone being a jackass to me. I'm sure you placed him in his cell very "gently", as was appropriate. I hope it all works out for you. Keep us posted.

Yikes. That sucks. I can relate to that "Oh shit" feeling...I accidentally stuck myself once when I was working as a phlebotomist.

Needles don't freak me out, except in that context. I'm always nervous when I stick someone else that I'm going to then accidentally stick myself. I hate needles like that.

And what the hell is a phlebotomist? I think you made that up.

Phlebotomist is the job title given to hospital lab personnel whose exclusive job is to draw blood to make them feel more important than "Lab Assistant" and to make them feel a little better about having a crappy $8.00/hour job. Not that all $8.00/hour jobs are crappy, but this one is.

I hear you. My best friend started out her career as parole officer, and now prepares presentencing reports. Both jobs have involved interviewing inmates.

She has had a coffee cup full of poo thrown on her by an inmate. (Needless to say, dude did not get parole.)

She used to be a big fan of Les Miserables the musical. Now it is ruined for her because when Javert is all, "Whatevs, I have heard that story every day for twenty years," SHE TAKES HIS SIDE INSTEAD OF FANTINE'S.

Because she has indeed heard that story every day, for ten years.

Even when I was a kid, I took Javert's side. I was like, boo frickin' hoo, you big whiner, get a job.

Thank you all. Like I said, I usually am able to keep my work life in my locker when I take of my uniform; but that just bugged me. I should find out in a few day if that wonderful human being had any diseases. Even if he did, that chance of my being infected is so minute that I would win the lotto and get struck by lightning. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.

Vent away! It helps deal with the stress of life. :)

Good luck, everything will be alright, also remember one things, if it can be of any consolation, tonight, you will sleep in a comfy bed, with someone you choose by your side, not someone that was forced to be your roomate.

the best my friend.

Eric

Being violated is a horrible thing. I'm sure it hurts all the more that some total loser that, by the grace of God, should have been smashed like a bug ages ago was the one that assaulted you. Be encouraged that you are the better person, that you do what you do because you are a better man than your assailant.

Small comfort I'm sure but it is the gospel truth. I wish you health and long life for your risks and sacrifices.

And you too, Brendar. You get to shoot back most of the time but you put it all on the line for the interests of those that get to stay warm, fed, snuggled in with those they love and free to do as they please. You deserve a toast for health and long life for your risks and sacrifices.

Beefy: Thank you, thank you for not losing your temper and for acting in a professional manner. I have no idea how much effort and self control that took, but I respect you enormously for having that within you.

You are one of those "dirty jobs" people that the rest of us depend upon. I also work with law enforcement, but I never have to get my hands dirty or smell anything bad.

I am ever grateful to those of you who do.

Thank you everyone very much for your support. Most people do not know what we do, or want to know, and to be perfectly honest, I would have them not know. But, it is nice to hear some thanks. The cop, he gets thanks from the victim for arresting the criminal. He has to deal with the upset criminal for couple of hours. The correctional officer, gets to deal with an upset criminal his whole entire stay (we have had one inmate stay fighting his case for over 3 years). We also get to deal with family that has to visit through glass, and public that hears in the news that an inmate was released and went out committed another crime, when all actuality we were following a judges order. So, when I do hear thanks and praise, it is very much appreciated, even though I do not expect it.