When Home Becomes a Housing Unit

Correctional officers toil in virtual anonymity. They are underappreciated, unheralded, and unrecognized for the critically vital role they play as part of the criminal justice continuum. They work in a potentially perilous environment with some of society’s most dangerous offenders. The stress endured by these modern day centurions takes an emotional toll. That stress, too, has been anonymous until now. With this work, William Young, a veteran correctional officer, provides intimate anecdotes of the personal struggles that arise from long hours inside unpredictable inmate housing units or bouts of sheer terror that can materialize in a moment’s notice. The unique aspect of this work is that not only does Officer Young open the portal to his soul, but he extends an empathetic hand to those who suffer the same or similar fate. He offers encouragement and support to the brave men and women, trained to suppress their emotions, who are tasked with keeping our community safe. Moreover, he lets it be known that there is no shame in asking for help with an emotional burden that is shared by so many working one of the toughest beats in America—jails. I applaud this work and look for more to come.

This hits home. Corporal William Young has written the truth about our daily struggle. He has connected the truth about our profession with the toll it takes on all our brave men and women that work behind the wall. This is a must read for anyone who works in the profession, for anyone who knows someone who works in the profession, or for anyone looking to get a better understanding of what it’s like to walk a Tier. It’s time for stories like these to get out to the public, so they get an understanding of what we do and the struggles we face. It is also time for stories like these to get into the hands of those who work in our correctional facilities, prisons and jails. Let these stories be a reminder that our brave men and women are not alone, and together we can conquer any obstacle.

Omg, every single word is our truth. I just read the first 3 chapters to my husband. After the 1st chapter or 2 typically he would unmute the TV and say he was done with it. But after your first chapter, we had to read on.... you said our emotions right out loud. We stopped for tonight right after the 3rd chapter, not because we don't want to read every word, but because we are wide open and vulnerable and need to step away for today. It's intense, and horrific, but most of all completely true. We both literally got goosebumps when you said that at this very moment, the storm is coming. It's gripping and profound and important. Your language and first person narrative are perfect and easy to read for any one of us. I can't wait to read more tomorrow. Bravo brother.

A stark collision of the complicated and dangerous world of being a corrections officer while surviving in a world with people who have no idea what goes on behind the walls of a correctional facility. No matter the profession we choose, life creates conflicts between our personal and professional worlds. As Corporal Young vividly describes, these conflicts are heightened by the very nature of the corrections profession. Lengthy shift work, higher divorce rates, staff turnover, bankruptcy and long term mental and physical concerns have sadly become part and parcel to this profession. All is not lost though, the challenges that thousands of correctional officers experience on a daily basis can be addressed by taking the first big step; acknowledging the problems. Corporal Williams words shine a welcome light onto our profession that is desperately needed. A wake up call for every new or tenured correctional officer and a mandate to all supervisors and leaders to finally address the underlying physical and mental impact this profession has on our brave men and women who step up each day to protect their communities.

I laughed when I read it (When Home Becomes a Housing Unit), not because it was comedy, but because it was me. I identified with it. I brought it to work and shared it to see if something was wrong with me. Turns out others “laughed” too. We have formed a wellness committee here at the _____ County Sheriff's Office. I reference many things that DWCO does, and try to preside over as much wellness as possible with almost 21 years of service.