In the Slammer:
Special Programs, Brig Duty
14 December 2016
It's 4 a.m., and Petty Officer 1st Class Melissa Mayer is heading to jail.
Her morning begins with the clanging of locked doors opening, the almost constant intercom announcements from other guards, and the general chatter from inmates and staff. Daily life inside Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar Detachment Pearl Harbor is far less relaxed than its setting on a beautiful Hawaiian island would indicate, says Mayer.
"If you're pinpointed as weak, you're going to be treated like you're weak," said Mayer, pacing a cell block inside the facility, inmates watching her pass by. "You have to come in here with an attitude that will make you look strong, and make it so people aren't going to walk all over you."
Mayer's stay at the brig is not permanent, nor is it sentenced; she voluntarily took orders to serve as a brig duty officer inside the facility, essentially serving as a prison guard for the installation. Seeing her interact with inmates or confidently walk the corridors of the brig, it might come as a surprise to learn Mayer wasn't always so comfortable with the job.
"I didn't feel ready at first," said Mayer, thinking back to her first day on the job. "Walking through that first door coming back here, it was just scary. I was so nervous to stand that first watch, even though I was under instruction."
For Mayer, and many Americans, the closest reference point to what life is like in a prison or brig environment comes from television and movies, which often portray it as violent and intense.
"Orange is the New Black just came out when I started this," said Mayer, laughing. "I just don't think TV portrays brig or prison life accurately. People are expecting something completely different, but it's a very professional place."
Mayer's primary job as a brig duty officer is ensuring the safety and security of prisoners and staff. Since the brig is not a civilian prison, the prisoners are not serving life sentences and will either return to active duty or to civilian life, meaning the staff must also help them prepare for that reality.
It's not a harmful environment, they're safe here. It's about rehabilitation here. It's not mean - it's very professional." -PO1 Mayer
Once Mayer got over the initial culture shock of switching from the damage control community into working as a brig duty officer, she immediately began taking on more responsibilities until she became a standout Sailor there. Currently, more than a year into her tour, she is the brig duty officer for an entire section of seven to 12 other guards, acting as their supervisor and planning out watch bills and duty assignments. She also acts as the evidence custodian, fire marshal, sexual assault victim advocate, and the operations chief for the command. She even finds time to volunteer at a local animal shelter when not busy working.
It didn't take long for her to be noticed for her hard work; Mayer was named as the 2016 Military Corrections Professional of the Year for the Navy by the American Correctional Association, a sought-after award in the military and civilian corrections community.
"I'm still in shock, actually," said Mayer. "It was a really big deal."
As far as her future, Mayer is finishing up a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, and hopes to stay in the field as a lawyer, saying she plans to apply to join the Judge Advocate General Corps someday.
"This helped me decide that actually," said Mayer about her time in the brig. "Learning about law, and interacting with this side of the law, makes it so when I leave I'll know just a little bit more than everyone else, since a lot of people have never even been inside a place like this."
As Mayer paces the cell blocks today, her uniform adorned with radios, belts, keys, and a gold badge, she holds her head high with confidence and authority. The buzzing of the large metal doors unlocking and the loud din of voices and intercom announcements echoing through the cold, concrete hallways are now just background noise to Mayer, who says she feels comfortable in the environment.
"I don't even notice the doors clicking anymore. I don't even notice the announcements anymore," said Mayer. "It's really just a great place to work. We have a lot of great people who work here."
Mayer pauses her sentence to answer a radio call, silently laughing as if to acknowledge the busy nature of her job.
You know, basically I won this award. But it really should have been the whole facility, because we all got the award together." -PO1 Melissa Mayer
U.S. NAVAL BRIGS INFOGRAPHIC:
Military Branch Prisons By Branch:
Navy has nine
Marine Corps has two
Army has five
Naval Brigs By Type:
Naval Brigs (7)
Consolidated Confinement Facilities (2)
Pre-trial Confinement Facilities (4)
Afloat Brigs (22)
Detention Facilities (11)
U.S. Naval Brig Locations:
NB Naval Shipyard Puget Sound, W.A.
NCB Air Station Miramar, C.A.
NB Joint Base Pearl Harbor, H.I.
NCB Naval Support Activity Chesapeake, V.A.
CCU Naval Station Norfolk, V.A.
NCB Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
CCU Naval Air Station Jacksonville, F.L.
NB Naval Station Rota, Spain
How To Apply For Brig Duty:
Must be on active duty for 24 months, and have a clean record
Contact your detailer, then apply through CMS/ID
Attend three weeks of corrections specialist training in San Antonio
Earn the 9575 Correctional Custody Specialist Classification
Key:
NB: Naval Brig
CCU: Consolidated Confinement Unit
NCB: Naval Consolidated Brig
(Pre-trial confinement facilities, detention facilities, and afloat brigs not included on map)