Jailer conduct - what's right?

What conduct of corrections officers is expected in the McHenry County Jail?

Are jailers permitted to fraternize with inmates or detainees? In the past year, the conduct of certain jailers has been brought into question. Yet the public never hears the outcome of any "internal" investigations.

Discipline of jailers is not subject to review by the Sheriff's Department Merit Commission and, even if it were, only disciplinary actions over 30 days would become public record.

So the public has to depend on the internal house-cleaning to be carried out thoroughly. Is it?

What if a jailer was having a hard time with a particular prisoner? Is it possible for the jailer to move that prisoner to a different section, where that prisoner might be intimidated by those in the new section who were "friendly" with the jailer?

How "friendly" should a jailer be with any inmate?

One jailer last year was taken off duty following an alleged inappropriate sexual contact between the jailer and an inmate of the opposite sex. Would a jailer ever be permitted to kiss a prisoner?

Hey, I know you are laughing. Well, if not "permitted", allowed? Or would a jailer ever, speaking plainly, kiss an inmate?

Think that might compromise the jailer/inmate relationship? Would the inmate then have some control over the jailer that should not exist?

You hear in other penal institutions that the inmates get their hands on drugs. How could drugs get into a jail or prison? Frankly, I can think of only one way. Do the K-9 units ever sweep through the entire jail and administrative offices?

Should such a jail officer remain on duty? Shouldn't that employee be summarily fired?

And, if that employee weren't fired, should an investigation be launched into the investigation? Are there ever inappropriate relationships between employees and supervisors?

What's the remedy here? Maybe call in an outside agency to take an impartial look at the facts?