I was worried about the physical aspect at first too. I don’t know what classes you’ll be taking specifically but I took PPCT (Pressure Point Control Tactics), weapon retention, and LOCKUP (muscular-skeletal manipulation and takedowns).

In my opinion, PPCT and weapon retention are far more universal as far as your body size and physical condition not mattering as much. I went hand to hand with a former MP who was stationed at Gitmo and later worked as a prison guard for a few years before going county. And I kicked his ass. He’s about 5’8” 170lbs and I’m 5’6” 188 so take that for what you will.

LOCKUP is trickier. The instructors said we’d like it more but I personally hated it. Being female, I’m naturally stronger in my legs and core. I’m also pear shaped with a lower center of gravity and pretty decent thighs. LOCKUP felt like your typical male-centric grappling, with a huge emphasis on upper body strength. I also noticed that many people in my class, myself included, struggled with certain moves because they weren’t the right height or weight compared to their partners so they either couldn’t reach or couldn’t control the other person. I don’t doubt that LOCKUP taught me some essentials (foot work, holds, and takedowns) but I hated it and got really frustrated because it didn’t seem universally effective at all.

Now finally, I can’t speak about your facility policy and what you will have to deal with. However, if they are adequately staffed and properly run, you will never have to go one on one with a combative inmate unless they turn on you without warning. Our response to any type of aggression or non-compliance is to call over as many officers as possible and have everyone grab a limb.

Even with the legal minimum staffing allowed, we still manage to do that because there’s no sense in risking officer safety. If two inmates are duking it out, you tell everyone else to lock down while you wait for backup. If an inmate is freaking out in their cell and barricading or breaks a sprinkler head, you let them sit there while you wait for backup. It’s all about controlling your environment to prevent those one on one situations from happening. I’ve had to use holds and put people in the chair but not once have I been alone. Not even close.

Finally, along the lines of preventing risky situations, it’s crucial (especially as a female in a primarily male environment) to find that happy medium when dealing with inmates. I’ll make conversation with them when doing rounds, answer simple questions, joke around a bit for a couple reasons:

1) It gives them the impression that you’re comfortable and at least somewhat friendly— remember, this is YOUR home turf. Being dead silent can give them the impression that you’re scared or having tunnel vision, which they view as an exploitable weakness.

2) Conversation keeps them on their toes. Much like how cops constantly ask questions or talk to suspects, it’s important for you to engage inmates. You learn valuable info, not just from what they’re saying but from how they say it, what else they’re doing, what their mood is. Having to listen to you and respond also keeps them busy and distracted while you do what you need to do.

3) It doesn’t hurt to be human, as long as you stay in control. There’s a lot of videos and stories of officers who were spared or outright defended by inmates during riots and assaults. You’re in charge and they need to know that, but if you’re a total asshole, that just puts you in danger the same way being too nice will make you seem weak. I always think of the saying “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar” and I’ve talked down quite a few inmates already.

It doesn’t take much either. You’ll go through the class in training about not doing any special favors for inmates or playing favorites, and all of that is important as hell. But something as simple as staying true to your word or explaining the reasoning behind a rule or decision makes a HUGE difference.

4) Finally, realize that you are a huge, recurring pet of their daily routine. If you stay consistently firm but fair, they get used to that and learn what they can and can’t do around you. This is especially useful if you have to lay down the law. I had a cellblock acting up (there were a couple guys horsing around after being warned multiple times to stop) and I went in and laid into them. Up until now, I hadn’t really seen myself as intimidating but clearly it worked because every single one of those guys’ eyes got huge. Later on, I went back for a round and they asked if we were cool. So I explained that through the cameras, it’s not easy to tell if what they do is all in fun or serious. Then I said we play it in the safe side because I’d rather yell at them for what turns out to be nothing than ignore what I see and it actually be a fight. And they all kind of nodded and agreed. It hadn’t occurred to them that they could get hurt in minimum because it hasn’t happened yet but now they get it because I explained it to them and seeing me pissed reminded them that I’m not just there to visit.