Is the statement 'Always believe an offender' an unwritten rule for correctional officers?

• A. True
• B. Not sure
• C. False
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (C)

In this field, relying on professional judgment and verification is the way information from offenders is handled. Staff should listen and take concerns seriously, but they must not automatically accept everything an offender says. Believing claims at face value can be unsafe and inconsistent with policies and procedures.

The right approach is to assess credibility and seek corroborating evidence before acting. This means checking factual details, gathering and comparing information from multiple sources (other staff, video footage, logs, medical or incident reports), and documenting what was found. This balanced, evidence-based approach protects safety, maintains order, and upholds offenders’ rights.

So, treating every statement from an offender as true is not the standard practice; it’s not an unwritten rule.