From: Becky Nye

To: kaylee1@charter.net

Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2001 8:08 AM

Subject: Wakulla C.I.

Kay Lee,

I find your web site interesting.

As a female Correctional Officer at Wakulla Correctional Institution, I find some of what is posted on your site, a little far fetched. I (personally) do not feel these incidents happened the way they are being portrayed. I know that when a human is confined, with rules and regulations, they will rebel to achieve a sense of freedom. Just as an adolescent rebels against their parents authority. It is natural.

I do not think a person should take everything an inmate tells them, as fact. I have learned from experience, that about 5% of what they tell me is true. My job is to find that 5% and disregard the rest.

Being a Correctional Officer is not an easy occupation. It is a stressful and thankless job. I do not "hide" when assigned to "yard" duty, or decide what I am going to eat that day, as a C.O. stated in her email. My main objective is to keep everyone (public,staff and inmate) safe for another day. I am not the Judge or Jury that placed these "human beings" in the "system". I am just the one that listens to their problems, searches their lockers for contraband, places them in handcuffs (when necessary), and keeps a watchful eye. If I am condemned for my convictions, so be it. 

Thank you for a chance to say, there are "human beings" wearing "BROWN" too.

Dear Ms. Nye.

Thank you for your reply.  I definately agree with the main thought you express:  There certainly are human beings wearing the uniform of the Florida DOC!  In fact, I believe there are probably many more "Correctional" Officers than there are guards (at least, we all hope so). 

In the old days, the COs took on more roles, like social worker, confidant, and inspiration for the prisoners.  I am grateful to find one in this setting like yourself, who still believes in doing a professional job. 

I just wish the good COs didn't have to fear speaking up about the bad guards, because they, too, most certainly exist.

Kay Lee
kaylee1@charter.net

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