The Aftermath

THE UNION'S WORK HAS JUST BEGUN.

The resolution of a disturbance concludes one phase of the union’s work and begins another.

Hostages

If there have been hostages, the union should ensure that they are treated with care and sensitivity.

• Their debriefing should be done by a neutral person who has their confidence. The well-being of the individual should take precedence over any need to obtain information. It may be a good idea to have someone from an EAP be the initial contact, and for that person to review with investigators the kinds of questions to be asked of the former hostages.
• Union leaders and members need to be aware that ex-hostages may exhibit what is known as the Stockholm Syndrome: As captives, they may have begun to identify with their captors. Union members should receive training on this subject if it is not already a part of pre-service training.
• Union representatives should inform the former hostages of the union’s desire to assist them with benefits and leave, including hostage leave and hostage insurance, if applicable, as well as any workers’ compensation for which they may be eligible.
• The employer and the union should clarify the terms of applicable leave and benefits to avoid confusion.

Union Members

The union should also recommend a debriefing for all other employees, as well as for officers at other facilities across the state. COs identify with fellow officers who have been held hostage and may experience the trauma associated with that ordeal. Furthermore, any apprehension that COs may have about a similar incident occurring at their facility can be deepened by taunts directed at them by inmates.

Incident Report

The conclusion of the disturbance will require a formal investigation, resulting in a report. The union may wish to prepare its own report on the incident, including what it believes were the causes and proposing its own recommendations for addressing the problems that precipitated it. With the crisis now over, the union’s case can be morepointed, and focus on the flaws of day-to-day management. A model for such a report is "Report and Recommendations Concerning the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, Lucasville, Ohio," by the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 11, available from ACU.