Correctional Officer Basic Training: Hostage Situations (COBT 121)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, procedures, legal rules, and recommended behaviors for correctional officers during a hostage situation based on COBT 121.

Hostage

A person being held and threatened by a subject to force the fulfillment of specific demands.

Four Categories of Hostage Takers

1. Mentally disturbed 2. Criminals trapped during the commission of a crime 3. Offenders who are rioting 4. Political terrorists

Primary Reason Offenders Take Hostages

To cause changes at the facility.

Transference

An unconscious redirection of feelings from one person to another and the ability of one individual to relate to another's feelings.

Positive Aspect of Transference

The development of transference increases the hostage's chance for survival.

Negative Aspects of Transference

Information coming from hostages may be unreliable, negotiators tend to feel anger and frustration toward the hostages, hostages cannot be counted on to cooperate in a rescue attempt, and hostages may later refuse to testify against their captors.

Three Immediate Steps in a Hostage Situation

1. Report the incident immediately to the OIC. 2. Report facts and gather data. 3. Isolate and contain the situation.

Most Dangerous Time in a Hostage Situation

The first 15 to 45 minutes are the most dangerous for all concerned.

Primary Purpose of Negotiations

The safe release of hostages and the apprehension of all hostage takers without a loss of life.

Authority of a Hostage Employee

Any person taken hostage loses all authority, no matter their rank. Orders given by hostages will not be obeyed.

North Carolina Law on Facility Confines

Hostage takers will not be allowed to use a hostage to leave the confines of an institution; the primary concern is the safety of the general public.

Hostage Conduct: Phone Communication

If permitted to speak on the phone, hostages should be prepared to answer yes or no to questions asked by officials.

Hostage Conduct: Forced Letters and Calls

Forced letters or telephone calls have neither legal nor moral value; hostages should cooperate.

Hostage Conduct: Observation and Details

Hostages should be observant and try to memorize the number, descriptions, conversations, and weapons of captors, as well as the identities and number of other hostages.

Hostage Conduct: Response Team Entry

When the response team enters the area, hostages must get down and stay down.