CORRECTIONS OFFICERS JUST DOING THEIR JOBS

As a member of the group that some politicians in Madison have chosen to
balance the budget's red ink on, while stereotyping us into a group of "no
goods," I feel compelled to explain who we truly are. We are corrections
officers.

We are husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, single parents, neighbors,
friends who are working to support ourselves and families, just like
everyone else. We are Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, Reformed,
Presbyterian, old church and new church.

We are hunters, fishers, bird watchers, tree huggers, hobby farmers, horse
farmers, dog kennelers, cat lovers, and zoo- keepers.

We are Scout leaders, Sunday school teachers, volunteers, EMS and fire
volunteers, youth sports coaches, National Guard, Hunter Safety Instructors.

We are motorcyclists, 4x4 mudders, stock car racers, boaters, tractor
pullers, and snowmobilers. We are corrections officers.

In addition to all of the above, we are the keepers of the effect of the
"war on drugs," and truth in sentencing.

Every time we report for work, we check in with the shift supervisors. We
pick up our keys, cuffs and radio. No gun, no club, no mace.

We enter a world of high razor fences, locked doors, where we are, at
times, outnumbered 20 to 1. In this world, nobody is incarcerated for
"being a nice guy." We are expected to enforce rules with people who are
not known for abiding by the law. In this world, we become teachers,
caregivers, supervisors, social workers and advisers. We are corrections
officers.

We have been taught that, on average, it takes an inmate six months to set
up an officer, possibly causing loss of job or freedom or reputation. This
ever-present risk must be kept in mind, while at the same time trying to
maintain security.

We are workers with 20-plus years of service who have seen many changes in
corrections, to people fresh out of the academy who only know corrections
for what it is today. We are "brothers and sisters in blue."

My intent is not to generate sympathy; we have all chosen our careers. My
intent is to remind people that we are the same as anyone else, trying to
support our families and showing pride in our work. We all are working
toward the common goal of maintaining safety and security, while getting
home safely at the end of our shift.

Please think of this when the media and the politicians play up the fact
that one of us fell down: There are many of us standing with pride.

We are corrections officers.

Jeff De Vries, of Randolph, works at Fox Lake Correctional Institution.