Caring for Our Own: Hostage Families

During a disturbance, the families of COs or other personnel who have been taken hostage will be afraid for their loved ones and apprehensive of what is yet to come. For them, it is an intensely private time in a highly public setting. Union representatives and members should exercise extraordinary delicacy, tact and sensitivity as they attend to the needs of these families.

The union can ensure that several things are done for the families of hostages.

Once the Disturbance Breaks Out

• During the disturbance, arrangements should be made to bring the families to a central location. It is important that the location allow family members of hostages to maintain a direct line of sight to the facility. Any location selected for the family members of hostages should be separate from that selected for the families of officers and corrections personnel who continue to work in the institution.
• A security perimeter should be established around the central location for hostage families in order to ensure their privacy and protect them from the media and curiosity seekers. Local law enforcement officials can assist with this.
• Arrangements should be made to have the hostage families regularly briefed by corrections management.
• Other arrangements should be made to provide food and access to telephones. The union may wish to have a separate telephone line installed for the exclusive use of the families.
• The union can assist with arrangements for any child care that families may require, as well as arranging for additional time to pay bills or meet other obligations.
• Counseling should be available for family members.
• The religious denomination of the hostage families should be identified, the relevant ministers, rabbis or priests contacted and arrangements made for them to be available for the hostage families.