Treatment of offenders

You have some real concerns about your co-worker's treatment of offenders. You hear him screaming obscenities at them in his office, and one time you saw him pat a female probationer on the rear end and say, "Be sweet to me and I'll keep you out of jail." On the other hand, no one else seems to notice anything is wrong.

Is there anything wrong?
Did you misinterpret the exchange; should you do anything about this, if so, what?

Full Answer Section It is important to remember that you are not alone in this. There are many people who care about the welfare of offenders and who are willing to help. If you see something that is wrong, speak up. You could make a difference. Here are some specific steps that you could take:
  • Talk to your co-worker directly and express your concerns.
  • Talk to your supervisor or another trusted colleague.
  • File a complaint with the appropriate authorities.
  • Contact a local advocacy group for offenders.
It is important to document your concerns and to keep a record of any interactions that you have with your co-worker or with the authorities. This will help to protect you if you need to take further action. It is also important to remember that you are not responsible for your co-worker's behavior. You can only control your own actions. If you speak up, you could help to protect the offenders and to create a more just and humane environment.
Sample Answer Yes, there is something wrong with your co-worker's treatment of offenders. Screaming obscenities at them and patting a female probationer on the rear end are both forms of verbal and physical abuse. This behavior is unacceptable and could have serious consequences for the offenders. It is possible that you misinterpreted the exchange, but it is also possible that your co-worker is behaving inappropriately. If you are concerned about your co-worker's behavior, you should do something about it. You could talk to your co-worker directly and express your concerns. You could also talk to your supervisor or another trusted colleague. If you are still concerned after talking to your co-worker or supervisor, you could file a complaint with the appropriate authorities.