Was this fair?

Was This Fair? Frederick Mason [ID] It's very difficult to share the difficulties inmates have when it comes to discipline. I think one reason is that many people on the outside believe that no inmate deserves mercy, because they were found guilty of whatever they're in prison for. Yet to fully accept that belief, you first have to believe the Federal Justice System is 100% perfect and fair. I contend that it is far from it. Yes, it's necessary, and we do need prisons, but our system is severely lacking in rehabilitation and human treatment. But, that's another essay. This essay is on fairness - or inhumane punishment. There are several arguments here, but if you can, try to discern if what the prison did was fair. Here's the scenario: (This is a true story, by the way) On August 4th, 2018, a female officer, Officer Fellows, claimed that an inmate in the dorm was doing "a sexual act". She told the inmate to put his clothes on and had several male officers take the inmate to Special Housing. Officer Fellows then called for a shakedown of the entire dorm. Officers told inmates to not take anything, not even a cup to get water. On this day, Saturday, it was 107, and we were put on the softball field, with no shade, and very little water for the 120 inmates. The unit was forced to remain outside, in 107 temperatures, from 12:30-3:20. Numerous inmates are medical, and elderly, and had no water. The unit wasn't even allowed to go indoors to the library or indoor recreation, where it was air-conditioned. The unit remained outside until Officer Fellows left work on shift change. So... was this fair? There are several issues here, so we could debate for months. But I think what this ultimately comes down to is, "did the punishment fir the offense", or "was it even necessary to punish at all"? One argument starts on the idea of female officers working in a male penitentiary. Don't get me wrong, if they're qualified, then fine. But part of being qualified has to include the training a female officer MUST have when dealing with male inmates, and being surrounded by them. You cannot willingly take a job surrounded by males, in a prison, and act like you're offended if they do something sexist. Yes, it's still wrong, but every female working her at USP Tucson knew this would happen. Next, if the offense was made, and the problem removed, why then did Officer Fellows proceed to punish the entire dorm? One person, out of 120+, was wrong. Why treat every other inmate as if we're to blame? I'm not responsible for any other inmate's actions but my own, and to punish me as the guilty is wrong and unprofessional. It also gives the fake impression that Officer Fellows, a female officer, is worth more than ALL the inmates in the dorm. Further, if we've established that Fellows took the offense personally, then punished the dorm unfairly, how much more was this to knowingly put the entire dorm on the softball field, in dangerous conditions, with very little water, for 3 hours. This is almost a picture-perfect definition of retaliation, which is illegal. The person allowed Officer Fellows to make, and follow through, a very poor decision in putting 120+ inmates at a health risk, and then not allowing us to find shelter by refusing us from going inside to cool off. I ask again, was this fair? If the inmate in question was indeed doing a "sexual act" directed at Fellows, I have no argument that it was wrong, offensive and disrespectful. But to temper that, Fellows chose to work at a penitentiary, in a dorm with 120+ male inmates, many not having been around a female for years. Fellows knew the environment she was getting in. You don't shut down the entire zoo and kill all the animals if the snake handler gets bit by a snake. That's an unfortunate part of the job, the risk the handler accepted. In the end, Fellows got her way, but was far less respected by the inmates. And in this, I argue that when you lose respect, an officer's job becomes more dangerous. Don't lose me here, I wish no ill will on any officer, but part of his - or HER - authority is based on fair treatment of those they are around. Kick a dog enough, and he'll attack. Treat inmates like dogs long enough... So, think about that scenario. It's one of numerous essays I try to share. Feel free to ask for more essays, and I welcome all comments. With over 200 essays, I've much to share. Until next time -