Thread: A work issue

Hi I know I am a newbie I only have about 15 sr shaves under my belt (getting better all the time) however at work this week an issue came up. I am a prison officer in the Scottish prison service and yesterday a prisoners relative handed in a dovo bismark, now prisoners are allowed razors and I know the prisoner quite well and I believe he would only use it for shaving and not as a weapon but I had to refuse the razor as it is classed as a knife, I approched my unit manager and explained that as this prisoner is a low cat prisoner with only 6 months left ( I work in a max security prison 5 years or above sentences) and is on the independent living programme that this razor should be considered a razor and not a weapon also as he is on the I.L.P. no other prisoners would have access to the razor and was told " it is a weapon how could it be considered anything else no-one shaves with them anymore" and was also told he wasn't allowed the Palmolive shave stick (fantastic soap not just for the price but in general IMO) or brush that was handed in too. Now I understand about the razor! but the soap and the brush? Is this just ignorance or a general attitude now I'm getting funny looks after I said I use a straight razor.
Any thoughts?

I'll add that I am no longer allowed to bring my razor into work, I have done so a couple of times to shave after using the gym before my shift.

I can understand the prohibition on straight razors in a prison environment for both prisoners and guards use. The prohibition on the shave stick and brush is a puzzle though. That is unless prisoners are not allowed a bladed razor of any sort, then what would be the point of having a shave stick and brush.

Bob

I agree with the prohibition. It may not be your chap who end up keeping the razor! I would add that I dealt with a chap a wee while back who I believed I knew well and was generally calm with me.

I had to fetch him in and he went for me with a jar of Branston pickle! A jar of pickle, I was more offended by his weapon of choice truth be told

No shaving brushes or soaps seems a little far through. I'm sure there are things in daily use, pens or pencils which could be far easier to use as a weapon.

I get some funny looks too. I seem to be cutting my lip a lot ATM which could be one of the reasons.

Originally Posted by DaveTheGeordie

I agree with the prohibition. It may not be your chap who end up keeping the razor! I would add that I dealt with a chap a wee while back who I believed I knew well and was generally calm with me.

I had to fetch him in and he went for me with a jar of Branston pickle! A jar of pickle, I was more offended by his weapon of choice truth be told

No shaving brushes or soaps seems a little far through. I'm sure there are things in daily use, pens or pencils which could be far easier to use as a weapon.

I get some funny looks too. I seem to be cutting my lip a lot ATM which could be one of the reasons.

That's hilarious *and* I am now really, really craving a ploughman's lunch...

I too can understand the prohibition on the SR in any kind of prison environment, regardless of which level of security. I think there would be just too high a potential for someone doing harm to himself or others for it to be allowed. As for the soap and brush...? I'm kind of baffled by that one too.

As I said I understand the razor not being allowed, but the brush and soap! Prisoners are allowed a DE but must use a gell that we provide not even goo in a can just this gell in a douche that doesn't even lather ( I've tried it, it's terrible!). Now what is the differance between a blade taken from a mach 3 melted into a toothbrush or a DE blade melted into a toothbrush and a straight , yet they is allowed and straights are not? As for officers/Guardes the staff gym is not in the prison but outside in the staff facility where our lockers are! prisoners are in a different building no access to it but I'm banned from using my razor with several other sr users but I could use a de I just don't get the officers being banned form using straights

Davethegoerdie are you in the service too? I fortunately have had a goatiee beard since I was 16 so I will never need to shave my lip or chin I look too much like my dad without the beard! I'll never shave it off no matter the temptation I'd rather shave my chest and piss the misses off.

Sounds like some Freudian issues going on here. Maybe an Oedipus complex.

Well i can truly understand why this wouldnt be allowed, in doing a lot of research in old newspaper the amout of crime associated with razors are astonishing. And the mere fact that this person is a prisoner should not be allowed to enjoy the finer things in life.

Well I guess I understand. You mentioned that the prisoners are only allowed to use some "issued" item as a shave cream. So if that's the case, then he doesn't have need for a brush or soap. Good on ya for being empathetic, but my old job had rules too. No sense in getting too bent about them. Rules is rules, doncha know.