Games Inmates Play: Recognize the Set Up, Slow the Play, End the Games

Course overview

Inmates often devise sophisticated plans to manipulate staff in order to achieve their goals. Some correctional experts have coined the phrase (games inmates play) to describe the unique circumstances wherein this phenomenon occurs. All correctional staff can be unsuspecting participants in these games, especially those who are new to the profession, burnt-out, or have become lax and overly confident. Recognizing the games inmates play, therefore, is crucial for staff to respond effectively and avoid the traps set for them. This workshop gave participants the opportunity to identify both common and uncommon games inmates play in their attempts to manipulate medical, mental, health, nursing security and administrative staff. Strategies recommended by correctional psychologists to mitigate inmate manipulation will be presented and, using scenario-based examples, attendees will participate in discussing positive ways to successfully manage the games inmates play.