Fraternization - Again

A few months ago, a story broke out of the Maryland Department of Corrections which caused a national stir. Eight female officers were fired for engaging in sexual relations with leaders of a notorious Baltimore street gang. These women officers, the articles alleged, carried in drugs, cellphones, and even weapons to their incarcerated boyfriends. A few had children by these men.

            Commentators searched for a logical explanation for a why a woman would jeopardize her career – and perhaps her own freedom – to engage in an illicit sexual relationship with an incarcerated violent felon. Why indeed. Fraternization – “to associate with in a friendly way” is alive and well in every prison in America. Here is no exception.

            Thursday, a chubby, plain-looking, country officer was escorted off the compound. Her “boy toy,” a child-rapist offender, was placed in the hole (for transfer this week). The officer has a husband and three small children. She lost her job with benefits. Being walked off the compound and fired for fraternization will preclude her from ever working for the state again. Her scarlet “F” is as pronounced as one worn by a felon. And, I wonder, why a mother would engage in a sexual relationship with a man doing twenty years for forcibly raping a child under age ten?

            Let me be clear, DOC makes a big deal out of “silly” fraternization. “Don’t call offenders by anything but their last name; don’t shake hands.” Fraternization should not be about being polite and respectful. It should be about crossing the line and offering inappropriate help to an offender. It’s about becoming emotionally – and/or physically – involved with an offender.

            It’s wrong; it’s dangerous (officers who become romantically involved with offenders are known to use their position as an officer to get at their boyfriend’s enemies), and it’s plain stupid. And, it keeps happening.

            Two years ago an officer was walked off the compound being caught in an office with an inmate. That inmate – a college student – was shipped elsewhere. His best friend – “L” decided to transfer as well. A few weeks ago word reached us from St. Brides (another level 2 re-entry prison). “L” married the fired officer in a prison wedding ceremony (the honeymoon will have to wait until he’s released next February!).

            Rumor has it another officer here is getting ready to fall for the same thing as country girl. The only surprising thing is, I’m no longer surprised.