Hidden abuse in America’s gulags

Is it time to require prison guards to wear body cams?

In the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Rayshard Brooks by the police, public outcry has been loud and sustained, with calls to demilitarize and defund the police. In many cases, video footage of the brutality and killing — taken by bystanders or via the police officers’ own body cams — is what prevented a coverup and fueled the outrage. But what you don’t ever hear about is the same routine behavior — and often worse — among prison COs (correctional officers). That’s because in prison, no one witnesses their violence and dehumanization except other officers (who will never speak out against their comrades) and us inmates (who don’t count).

And although there are plenty of cameras, the COs typically commit their abuse out of view. If they’re caught, well, they control the footage. (It’s also not surprising to note that injuries and deaths due to excessive use of force in prison are not tracked. And what isn’t tracked and reported isn’t “seen” — unless there is video.)

Correctional-officer culture has the same racist, militaristic roots responsible for police brutality: It’s more about…