How can an officer prevent feeling vulnerable to inmate manipulation?

Utilizing the CHUMPS approach is a beneficial strategy for an officer to maintain awareness and reduce vulnerability to inmate manipulation. CHUMPS stands for the factors that can lead to inmate manipulation: Charm, Health, Urgency, Money, Power, and Sex. By being trained to recognize these tactics, officers can better assess interactions with inmates and take proactive steps to mitigate manipulation efforts.

This awareness enables officers to stay objective and avoid falling into emotional traps or succumbing to undue influence, which are common manipulative tactics used by inmates. Instead of reacting emotionally or adopting a defensive posture, which can lead to personal bias or vulnerability, officers can assess situations through a critical lens guided by the CHUMPS methodology. This balanced and informed approach not only protects the officer but also upholds the safety and security of the correctional environment.