Chapter 4 - Interviewing and Report Writing in Corrections

What are 2 vital skills in the correctional officer profession?

Conducting interviews and asking the right questions.

Asides from inmates, who must correctional officers also be able to communicate with?

Officers must be able to communicate with non-sworn personnel and the wider public.

Why do officers have to ask the right questions, conduct effective interviews, and obtain statements?

Because throughout the course of their day, any number of incidents may occur.

What are the 2 primary responsibilities of a correctional officer?

Maintaining the safety of inmates and staff as well as ensuring facility security.

What is the most effective way to gather important information?

Asking questions.

Which 2 types of interactions can officers obtain information from throughout the course of their duties?

Informal interactions and formal interactions.

Which type of communication will the most vital information come from?

Informal communication.

What is informal communication?

Conversations that are not related to any specific incident or event but rather addresses the daily lives of the inmates.

What makes it easier for officers to obtain information from inmates?

Building rapport.

What can informal conversations between inmates and officers help establish?

Rapport and a better understanding of the people officers supervise.

What must officers maintain when interacting with inmates, even while building rapport?

Professional boundaries

What is one way officers can build rapport with inmates?

Be professional—act and look like a professional whose duty is to provide care, custody, and control.

How should officers speak and act when being respectful to inmates?

Fairly, firmly, and consistently with everyone.

What does being truthful with inmates require officers to do?

Being truthful with inmates requires officers to be honest about what they can and cannot do in certain situations.

What communication skill should officers use to ensure effective interaction with inmates?

Active listening

What message do officers send by communicating respectfully and establishing rapport?

That it is okay to share information.

What does establishing rapport ultimately allow to occur?

Open communication.

What will officers learn as they begin gathering information from daily interactions?

Officers will learn what is considered “normal” for their environment.

Which factors help officers recognize what is normal in their environment?

Noise level, smell, and inmate behaviors.

Why is recognizing what is “normal” important for correctional officers?

It helps them recognize when something unusual occurs.

When something out of the norm occurs, what may the responding officer need to do?

Ask questions to establish what happened.

What process is used to establish what happened during an unusual incident?

Interviewing

What is an interview?

A conversation between a person asking questions and a person answering questions with the goal of obtaining factual information.

Does an interviewee have to be a suspect?

No, they could be a victim, witness, or someone with relevant knowledge.

Which 2 types of questions may be used during an interview?

Informal questions or formal questions.

What is true about informal interviews?

They are not as structured as formal interviews.

How do correctional officers often conduct informal interviews?

With inmates or visitors without realizing it.

What could be revealed in informal interviews?

Policy violations, rule infractions, or other issues

What may some interviews result in beyond observation?

The need for documentation or a report.

Why should officers take notes when gathering information?

To help with report writing and documentation.

How might an officer’s notes be used if an investigation is conducted?

As evidence.

After collecting information, what should officers do next?

Follow their agency’s policies and procedures on how to proceed.

What is an interrogation?

Questioning a suspect with the goal of obtaining a confession.

Whats the difference between an interrogation and an interview?

An interrogation focuses on obtaining a confession, while an interview focuses on gathering factual information.