Scenario Critique

Scenario Critique

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Assignment 9.1: Scenario Critique

Part 1

Question 1

The officers used several techniques to resolve the suicide crisis in the prison cell. This includes the LUV Triangle that incorporates listening, understanding, and validating a situation. They tried to show the offender that they understood the vastness of his misery. For example, one of the police officers tells Hank, “I know you are going through a tough time”. They listened to the prisoner without intruding in order to help him express his emotions. Moreover, they did not raise the illegality of having a weapon in jail as this could have had negative results. The officers also used empathy as a way of handling the situation. They showed the inmate that they cared and were willing to help him solve the problem. This is evident through certain phrases such as “we care about you” seen in their conversation.

Question 2

In my opinion, some of the officers’ behaviors and comments influenced the outcome. For example, the compassion shown by the personnel helped Hank realize that there are some caring people around him. This was useful as the main reason of his desperate attempt was the actions of someone who showed no concern for him. Likewise, the prison officials used helpful comments such as “life is worth living”. Nonetheless, the mentioning of family in the conversation was not effective. This is because Hank had no one to consider as family and this may have increased his rage.

Question 3

During the dialogue, there were opportunities that the officers could have used to achieve their goal. For example, when Hank told them that they did not know the cause of his distress, they should have persisted with their persuasion in order to make him open up. In addition, they should have persisted with the conversation in an attempt to understand the reason why Hank said he had no family. This could have helped the offender open up and even accept their requests.

Question 4

Although the wardens were willing to save Hank, they used proper measures to ensure their safety and even that of the offender. For example, they conducted the talk well outside the jail cell. This is because the behavior of the convict was unpredictable at this moment. Additionally, they tried to get the knife from Hank in an effort to prevent any harm on them or the convict. These safety measures were efficient as neither the officers nor the convict acquired any forms of injuries.

Question 5

If I were in the position of the officers, I would tell the prisoner about a scenario in my life, whether true or false, that illustrated a worse predicament than his. This would make him see his problem as solvable while at the same time distracting him from his intentions. I would also include some humorous phrases in order to lower his destructive emotions.

Part 2

Question 1

The police officers used the LUV Triangle in solving Hank’s case. They start by acknowledging that his problem is immense thus creating the required rapport. They listen to everything he says and use it to gain more information from him. The wardens also use empathy in their conversation. This is apparent when they use certain phrases like, “we are concerned about you” and “we want to help you”. This makes the convict realize that some people around him still care unlike his thoughts that no one is bothered of his situation.

Question 2

In my opinion, certain behaviors and comments from the personnel saved the situation. For example, when one of the officers told Hank that they were there to help him, it made him feel that his problem was solvable, and there were caring people around. This helped reduce his emotions hence preventing him from committing suicide. Furthermore, the calm nature of the officers was helpful in this circumstance. Despite the high emotions shown by the convict, they acted coolly in order to avoid destructive actions.

Question 3

The prison wardens did not miss any opportunities during this dialogue. They seized every appropriate moment to calm the offender. For example, when Hank told them that the letter was from his girlfriend, they asked him how long they have been together and the letter’s content. Likewise, when Hank dismissed the officer’s suggestion of sharing his feelings, they insisted that would help him solve the problem.

Question 4

            The law enforcers took safety measures by conducting their task while on the outside of the prison cells. This helped prevent any life threatening actions from the prisoner. Moreover, their first goal was getting the knife from Hank because of his unpredictable emotions.

Question 5

            As one of the officers, I would try harder in showing the convict that the break up with his girl friend should not lead him to commit suicide. Although the prison wardens attempt to address this matter, they focus their task mainly on getting the knife from the offender. They aim at attaining their professional objectives at the expense of Hank’s psychological problem. It would have been appropriate if the prison personnel took time to not only lower the criminal’s emotions, but also give him a lasting solution to his predicament in order to avert similar life threatening actions in the future.