Two inmates began shouting and pushing each other in the recreation yard during a scheduled break.

I needed to stop the escalation, ensure safety for all inmates and staff, and prevent any injuries.

I approached calmly, used a low, steady voice to acknowledge their frustration, and employed active‑listening techniques. I separated them, guided each to a quiet area, and facilitated a brief mediation where each expressed concerns. I then reported the incident to my supervisor and documented the encounter.

The conflict was resolved without physical altercations, both inmates returned to their duties, and the incident was logged with no further issues. My supervisor praised my quick, non‑violent resolution.

During a night shift, I observed a fellow officer allowing an inmate to leave the housing unit without completing the required headcount.

I needed to address the breach while maintaining team cohesion and ensuring compliance with protocol.

I approached the officer privately, expressed concern, and reminded them of the headcount policy. I then completed the missing headcount myself, documented the incident in the shift log, and reported it to the shift supervisor for further review.

The supervisor reinforced the policy with the team, preventing future lapses. My colleague appreciated the discreet approach, and overall compliance improved on subsequent shifts.