What approach should officers use when dealing with inmates displaying aggression?

Utilizing de-escalation techniques when dealing with aggressive inmates is essential for maintaining safety and order within a correctional facility. This approach involves active listening, maintaining a calm demeanor, and using verbal communication strategies to diffuse tension. De-escalation aims to reduce the immediate threat of violence and to manage the situation in a way that minimizes harm to both inmates and staff.

This technique prioritizes resolving conflicts peacefully and can prevent the escalation of aggressive behavior into physical confrontation. By employing these methods, officers can establish rapport and trust, which may help inmates feel heard and understood, thereby dissipating their aggression without resorting to physical restraint or force.

Fostering a discussion on feelings is beneficial but may not be practical in an immediate aggressive situation where quick resolution is necessary. Ignoring the behavior can lead to further escalation, and immediate physical restraint, while sometimes necessary, should typically be a last resort after other methods, like de-escalation, have been unsuccessful.