As an extreme component of creating extreme conditions for inmates, dereliction of duty is the most direct. When officers intentionally engage in conduct that causes direct harm such as failing to ensure everyone has access to food, health care, protection, wellness, and an environment conducive to rehabilitation they are directly causing hunger, starvation, illness, and death. Click the button below to see an act of dereliction of duty in live action. Could you survive this? For how long?
Each correctional officer has a sworn duty of care to the inmates in the custody of the Department of Corrections. That includes a duty to protect prisoners from personal injury and harm, including from abuse and neglect. Notwithstanding the need for officers to ensure their safety in situtions where they cannot intervene because they are understaffed and outnumbered, when an officer is intentionally not present, turns a blind eye, or even engages in act that facilitates that suffering and harm, he is derelict of his sworn duty. This has become normal order and sanctioned practice within the GDOC, where the suffering at the hands of violent and aggressive inmates has become a part of the punishment. Cruel and unusual punishment, indeed.