Australasian Journal of Correctional Staff Development
http://www.bfcsa.nsw.gov.au/journal/ajcsd
Guarding against Manipulation by Criminal Offenders
Bruce Tulloch B.A. Hons; PhD (Psychology)
Bruce Tulloch works as a Psychologist at a Correctional Centre with Corrective Services
NSW
Abstract
This article examines ways in which offenders manipulate Correctional employees, what
makes us vulnerable to their tactics and how we can protect our self from manipulation
and harm. The author argues that everyone is vulnerable to manipulation. Rather than
just focusing on our weaknesses, manipulators often play on our strengths, our best
qualities, the things that make us a decent human being. For example, a skilled
manipulator can use your sense of ethics and conscientiousness against you; your openmindedness, optimism and compassion can also be a risk. A ‘Risk of Manipulation’ scale
developed by the author helps us review our personal risk factors, so we can mange our
situation, personality traits, attitudes and vulnerabilities more effectively. A ‘Safeguards
against Manipulation’ checklist by the author highlights the many powerful tools we
have available to keep us safe; tools such as knowledge, professionalism, teamwork, time,
training and vigilance. This article contains valuable insights for everyone who deals with
criminal offenders.
Several excellent books and articles exist
about manipulation tactics of offenders
(Allen & Bosta, 1981; Cornelius, 2009;
Dodds, 1992; Topham, 1998). This article
reviews tactics that manipulators use,
who they target and how to protect
yourself. Many authors present risk of
manipulation in a negative light. For
example, I am said to be at risk of being
manipulated if I am too trusting, naive,
gullible, needy, too caring,
impressionable or have low self-esteem.
Similarly, if I am too hard, callous,
greedy or impulsive, this also puts me at
risk (Allen & Bosta, 1981; Braiker, 2004;
Kantor, 2006; Simon, 1996). However,
manipulators often play on our strengths,
our best qualities, the things that make
us a decent human being; not just our
weaknesses. To illustrate this, please do
the questionnaire below.
Table 1: Risk of Manipulation Questionnaire
For each statement below, tick the answer that generally applies to you.
Mostly
Mostly
Applies to me…
No
unsure
Yes
1. I work with offenders……………………………………………………….. ❏
❏
❏
2. I am in a helping profession…………………………………………….. ❏
❏
❏
3. I have some authority or power………………………………………. ❏
❏
❏
4. I care about people………………………………………………………….. ❏
❏
❏
5. I am conscientious; I strive to do my best……………………… ❏
❏
❏
6. I believe in doing the right thing…………………………………….. ❏
❏
❏
7. I am a good-natured friendly person………………………..……. ❏
❏
❏
8. I have never been conned (that I know of)…………………... ❏
❏
❏
9. I am a good judge of character………………………………………. ❏
❏
❏
10. I’m an independent thinker……………………………………………… ❏
❏
❏
Guarding against manipulation by criminal offenders
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Australasian Journal of Correctional Staff Development
http://www.bfcsa.nsw.gov.au/journal/ajcsd
11. I am inclined to be lenient and forgiving…………………………. ❏
❏
❏
12. I like to analyse problems and find solutions………………….. ❏
❏
❏
13. I am results-focused; I like to get results………………………. ❏
❏
❏
14. I dislike authority…………………………………………………………….. ❏
❏
❏
15. I tend to trust people that I like………………………………………. ❏
❏
❏
16. I like to think that people can change for the better……... ❏
❏
❏
17. I work independently, with limited support…………………….. ❏
❏
❏
18. I often feel lonely……………………………………………………………… ❏
❏
❏
19. I have a lot of experience working with inmates……………. ❏
❏
❏
20. I am fairly intelligent………………………………………………………… ❏
❏
❏
21. I am a peace-maker: I try to resolve conflict…………………. ❏
❏
❏
22. I am a cooperative team-player………………………………………. ❏
❏
❏
23. I tend to avoid confrontation and arguments…………………. ❏
❏
❏
24. I think I am not likely to be conned………………………………… ❏
❏
❏
25. I am a strong-willed determined type of person…………….. ❏
❏
❏
26. I have been bullied or picked-on in the past………………….. ❏
❏
❏
27. I dislike my job…………………………………………………………………. ❏
❏
❏
28. I feel I am under-appreciated………………………………………….. ❏
❏
❏
29. I am having personal problems……………………………………….. ❏
❏
❏
30. I am a loving parent…………………………………………………………. ❏
❏
❏
Risk of Manipulation Questionnaire (ROM) by the author
Scoring: The more ‘Yes’ or ‘unsure’ boxes you ticked, the greater your risk of being
manipulated; not just by criminals but by anyone. Few people understand that being a
‘good moral person’ is a major risk factor for being targeted for manipulation.
What is manipulation?
Essentially, manipulation involves causing
a person to think, feel or behave in a way
that is ultimately not in their best
interests. This may be done consciously
by bullying or coercion; or subtly through
lying or deception (Simon, 2010).
However, research shows that
manipulation is remarkably common.
Sometimes there is a fine line between
manipulation and skilled people
management (Barker, 2010).
Manipulation in Corrections covers a
broad spectrum. Obvious violations
include having a personal relationship
with an offender, trafficking goods,
disclosing classified information and
bypassing procedures for any reason.
However, manipulation is often subtle
and can take time to engineer (Allen &
Bosta, 1981; Topham, 1998). Almost
everyone has been manipulated in some
way, into writing a positive case note or
Guarding against manipulation by criminal offenders
report that later turned out to be
unwarranted.
Manipulation tactics
A skilled manipulator can use any
interaction to influence you (Topham,
1998). Manipulation tactics can include:
being friendly to you, being helpful,
cooperative, being a good listener or
complimenting you. A manipulator may
also be pushy, insistent or especially
needy. Some manipulators use
intimidation or threats. Essentially, what
ever it takes. Interestingly, each of these
behaviours can be quite valid in the right
setting for the right purpose. It is
basically impossible to draw up a list of
tactics that will allow us to spot all
manipulation, although some of the
tactics listed may indeed be warning
signs (Topham, 1998). Common
manipulation tactics are summarised in
Appendix 1.
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Australasian Journal of Correctional Staff Development
http://www.bfcsa.nsw.gov.au/journal/ajcsd
Psychopathy
When it comes to manipulation and
deceit, psychopaths warrant special
attention. About one percent of the
population probably meet the diagnostic
criteria for psychopathy (Hare, 1993).
Psychopathy is a pervasive personality
disorder. Psychopaths have little or no
conscience. They love to deceive people
and inflict harm; emotional, social,
financial and/or physical harm by any
means possible. They often strive for
dominance, power and/or fame.
However, psychopaths are typically
charming; they appear normal and
friendly. Many psychopaths operate
undetected in society until they fall into
the justice system (Babiak & Hare,
2006). Psychopaths are common in
prison populations (5-10%), especially
among severe or repeat offenders
(25%+: Hare, 1993). Not all
manipulators are psychopaths, but all
psychopaths are manipulators; the most
dangerous manipulators that exist. They
are true predators. (Hare, 1993; Simon,
1996).
Who are potential targets?
Many authors present risk of
manipulation in a negative light, as
though manipulators and psychopaths
target only the foolish or weak (Allen &
Bosta, 1981; Braiker, 2004; Simon,
1996). However, the truth is not so
simple. Manipulators often use our better
qualities against us, not just out
weaknesses. There are four main risk
factors of manipulation: your situation,
personality, attitude and vulnerability.
These are shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Risk factors for being manipulated
A. Situation
Exposure to offenders
Helping role
Work independently
Have authority or influence
B. Personality
Kind, compassionate
Ethical, belief in fairness
Optimistic, hopeful
Analytic, intelligent, problem-solver
Results-focused, perfectionist
Peace-maker, strive for harmony
Lenient, forgiving
Independent thinker
C. Attitudes
Self-assured, complacent,
Often feel victimised
Dissatisfied at work
Feel superior, judgemental
Use political tactics
D. Vulnerability
Lack experience being conned
Isolated, lack support
Bullied in the past
Hurting emotionally
Risk Factor 1: The Situation
■ Working with criminals: Any
situation that involves coming into
contact with criminal manipulators is very
risky. Most people under-estimate how
prevalent, ruthless and potentially
harmful criminal manipulators are
Guarding against manipulation by criminal offenders
(Babiak & Hare, 2006; Koenigsmann,
2010; Hare, 1993). Working with
offenders in prison or in the community,
you are exposed to many manipulators;
more than ten times the amount in the
general population (Hare, 1993). As a
Correctional employee, the manipulator is
able to devote his or her full predatory
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attention to you. Your risk of being
manipulated increases greatly when your
contact with inmates is personal (one-toone) and ongoing (Allen & Bosta, 1981).
■ Helping Profession: Your risk is
heightened considerably if you work in a
helping profession (Copley, 2008).
Examples include probation and parole,
nursing, welfare, social work, psychology
and teaching. Many prison officers are
also drawn to their professions by a
desire to help. Manipulators target people
in these roles for perverse satisfaction
they gain by tricking a do-gooder and/or
expert. Persons in helping roles also tend
to be compassionate, which is a
manipulator’s prime target (Hare, 1993).
■ Work independently. If you work in
relative isolation or your behaviour is not
closely monitored by superiors, your risk
of being manipulated is increased.
Standard operating procedure and chain
of command are vital safeguards.
Support from colleagues and
management is essential (Gilmartin &
Russell, 2006). If you work in a
counselling role, it is vital you receive
professional supervision, no exceptions
(Gutheil & Brodsky, 2008).
■ Have authority or influence.
Manipulators love to target people who
have power or status, so they can get
what they want and brag about their
conquests (Hare, 1993). Many
correctional workers underestimate how
much power they have. If you are in a
position to evaluate or report on anything
that affects an offender’s current position
or long-term prospects, from their point
of view, you have power; and to a
manipulator, power is everything. Simply
getting your time is power.
Risk Factor 2: Personality
These items deal with your general
outlook and disposition, which tend to be
stable over time.
■ Caring: Manipulators have been called
nurturance-seeking missiles (Hare,
1993). They primarily target goodnatured persons who genuinely care
about others. Manipulators gravitate to
Guarding against manipulation by criminal offenders
people who are forgiving and nonjudgemental by nature, as many helpers
are. People in helping roles often believe
in the basic dignity and worth of human
beings, and that given the right chance,
people can be rehabilitated (Egan, 1994).
Helpers are likely to give people the
benefit of the doubt, especially when they
find the person likeable. Interestingly,
everyone trusts people they like; it
happens automatically.
■ Conscientious and ethical: If you
are conscientious or an idealist, all the
better. The manipulator will endeavour to
use this perfectly good feature against
you. They are likely to present
themselves to you as needy, weak and
harmless. They may seem victimised and
insist that no one is trying to help or
understand them. The more ethical you
are, the less likely you are to imagine
that someone would intentionally deceive
or manipulate you (Hare, 1993). Bear in
mind that many manipulators are
incredibly convincing. To be susceptible
to their tactics, you don’t have to be
stupid or naïve, simply a caring decent
person.
■ Problem-solvers: Persons who like to
get results, who expect to make
progress, may also be vulnerable to
manipulation. By starting off well and
then inexplicably falling back, a
manipulator can encourage helpers to
rescue them from failure (Allen & Bosta,
1981). A Corrections employee can be
tricked into looking outside the normal
bounds to offer special help. If deep
down, you need to see positive results in
your clients in order to feel good about
yourself or your job, you are definitely at
risk of manipulation. Some workers like
the challenge of analysing peoples’
problems and formulating solutions.
Manipulators are adept at inventing deep
psychological problems that keep wouldbe helpers striving fruitlessly forever. To
them, it’s all a game (Allen & Bosta,
1981; Berne, 1996).
■ Non-conformists: People who think
independently may feel inclined to bend
the rules and disregard normal
restrictions. If you are a rebel or dislike
authority, beware. People who see
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Australasian Journal of Correctional Staff Development
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themselves as leaders are more likely to
not conform, even if the restrictions are
warranted (Allen & Bosta, 1981; Copley,
2008).
■ Distress-avoiders: Manipulators often
target people who are too polite for their
own good (Allan & Bosta, 1981). When
the manipulator pushes, insists, demands
or complains, they want to see if you will
back down or take a weak conciliatory
position. An ideal target will even take
the blame. Passivity is a manipulator’s
greatest attractor (Copley, 2008). If you
lack assertiveness or have trouble saying
‘no’, the manipulator knows they are on a
winner. Peacemakers, who like to smooth
over conflict, are especially at risk. At
times, confrontation is absolutely
necessary.
■ Soft versus hard: Let’s face it; most
of us have a soft side. It is commonly
said that manipulators target soft goodnatured people; and they do (Topham,
2008). However, manipulators are people
who wear masks, convincing external
facades, to great effect. They know not to
believe what is on the surface. Workers
who present as overly macho or tough
may be trying too hard. Research shows
that manipulators also target aggressive
hard-liners with surprising degree of
success. The reasons for this are not
clear (Allan & Bosta, 1981).
Risk Factor 3: Attitudes
■ Dissatisfied, angry: If you have
adopted some negative attitudes about
your job or the people you work with,
beware; because negativity is a big draw
card for manipulators (Allen & Bosta,
1981). Negative emotions tend to make
us feel isolated and selfish, self-centred;
they can interfere with our judgement. Of
course, it is easy to say ‘keep a wrap on
your feelings’ but everyone has their
limits. Often, negative attitudes have a
way of filtering through our defences, so
that skilled observers can tell that
something is wrong. So, be aware of this;
if you persistently upset or dissatisfied at
work, you are vulnerable.
■ Victimised: Feeling victimised is a
huge trap and manipulators know it. If
Guarding against manipulation by criminal offenders
you’ve got an axe to grind, manipulators
will turn the wheel for you (Allen & Bosta,
1981). When a Church minister I know
started working in Corrections, he said he
was horrified by a ‘tidal wave’ of
victimised feelings he encountered.
Rather than feeling remorseful or
repentant, he found that his new flock
were seething with bitterness and had an
overwhelming belief that somehow they
were the victims. Perhaps victimisationthinking is catchy. As far as possible,
avoid feeling persistently sorry for
yourself or angry with others. If you have
issues at work, get help and deal with
them as best as you can. Let stuff go and
focus on the important things in life.
■ I think I’m safe: Regardless of
personality, some attitudes are easy to
adopt, especially if they make us feel
comfortable. Most people rate themselves
as a good judge of character and think
they are not likely to be deceived. The
truth is that many manipulators are so
skilled that at least initially, no one can
detect them. Complacency is probably
the greatest single danger when dealing
with manipulators. No one is ever safe,
simple as that. In some ways, longserving correctional officers are actually
more at risk of manipulation than novice
employees, especially if they become
bored or complacent.
■ I think I’m special: Well, it’s nice to
feel superior. In reality, who do we think
we are? Everyone is just a funny bunch
of cells wandering around trying to find a
place in the world and survive.
Manipulators will tickle our ears with
pleasing tales like ’No one understands
me or helps me like you’. If you find
yourself being praised or pandered to by
an offender, beware and nip it in the bud;
stick to business (Allen & Bosta, 1981).
■ Office politics: Let’s face it.
Organisational politics is common
enough. Each of us will form networks
and alliances at work and to some extent
indulge in office politics. However, it
appears that game players are often
themselves targeted of manipulation
(Babiak & Hare, 2006; Topham, 1998).
We need to be aware of this, and take
care. It can be dangerous territory.
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Risk Factor 4: Vulnerability
■ Inexperience: Top on the list of
vulnerability factors is simple lack of
experience; and this is not simply lack of
experience with offenders, but lack of
experience being conned. Some
Correctional employees work for decades
without ever being manipulated by an
inmate (at least so I’m told). Of course,
being conned once doesn’t mean you
somehow become immune to deception
in the future. In fact, if anything, it shows
you are vulnerable; it puts you on your
guard.
yourself being targeted again, do
something about it. Remember,
manipulators are attracted to passivity.
Any hint of resignation or giving in to
their tactics will encourage them to
persist and escalate things further. It is
up to you take action.
To sum up, it seems clear that a skilled
manipulator can potentially use any
circumstance, attribute or attitude
against you for their own malicious ends.
So, we are definitely at risk. How can we
protect our self against manipulation?
Protecting against manipulation
■ Emotionally vulnerable: Sometimes,
events can overwhelm even the most
resilient of people. If you are
experiencing severe grief or distress, get
support. Manipulators zero-in on persons
who show subtle signs of being sad,
lonely or afraid (Hare, 1993). When we
are hurting emotionally and need a
friend, we tend to be less critical or
cautious. We may be vulnerable without
even knowing it. Interestingly, a
manipulator will often present as
emotionally needy and distressed as well;
appealing to the sympathetic parental
side of their victim.
■ Long-serving: The fact that many
years of experience in Corrective Services
can actually be a risk factor for
manipulation is really worth noting.
Familiarity often breeds complacency.
Familiarity can also breed familiarity
(Topham, 2008). The longer we know
offenders and become familiar with their
lifestyle, the easier it is to treat them
with a relaxed manner, like an old friend.
At times, it can be tempting to respond
to offenders simply as human beings and
as nothing else, but this is a deadly trap.
Remember who you are dealing with. Our
duty is to manage and assist offenders,
not to be their buddy.
■ Bullied in the past: Manipulators
have an uncanny way of spotting people
who have been bullied or manipulated in
the past (Hare, 1993). This can make
victims feel like they have a sign around
their neck saying ‘here I am, come and
get me’. If you have been bullied in the
past, be aware of this. If you find
Guarding against manipulation by criminal offenders
Our defences against manipulation are
many and powerful. They are
summarised below in Table 3. Note that
there are no quick fixes against
manipulation. Each strategy requires
ongoing vigilance and effort; it requires
discipline.
Table 3: Protective factors
1. Professionalism: Be transparent,
impartial and consistent.
2. Knowledge: Learn about
manipulation and be vigilant.
3. Teamwork: Our greatest
protection is each other.
4. Time: Be patient, keep an open
mind, check things.
5. Self-reflection: Reflect on your
feelings and behaviour, debrief.
6. Manage risk: Be aware of your
risk factors and manage them.
Protection1: Professionalism
At times, we may feel that
professionalism is a nuisance. We may
feel like rebelling against it, not adhering
to the guidelines. That may be how we
feel, but if we let professionalism slide,
then we are actually putting ourselves
and our colleagues in great danger
(Topham, 2008). Our greatest single
safeguard is professionalism. Allen and
Bosta (1981) list twelve safeguards
against manipulation; professionalism
tops the list and permeates all else. They
advise be transparent, consistent, take
command, be clear, follow procedures
and document everything; in other
words, be strictly professional.
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Protection 2: Knowledge: Know who
you are dealing with
It has been said that ‘good people are
rarely suspicious’ (March, cited in Hare,
1993). Rightly or wrongly, we tend to
expect that other people are like us; and
then we grow up. One of the aims of this
article is to stretch your awareness.
Forewarned is forearmed against
manipulation, to some extent. Keep
learning, expand your knowledge, talk
with colleagues, do some reading or
research; share information, write
something. You don’t have to be an
expert; you simply have to be concerned.
Protection 3: Teamwork: Many eyes,
many perspectives
Manipulators have an uncanny ability to
vary their masks; to be just what each
individual wants them to be. This means
that they present differently to different
people (Hare, 1993). So, one of our best
safeguards against manipulation is each
other. It can be virtually impossible for
any individual to spot a skilled
manipulator, especially when all the
information is not in. To any one person,
a manipulator’s behaviour can be
remarkably consistent, but to a unified
group of observers who share
information, the differences, the
deception can be exposed.
It is no accident that manipulators try to
isolate their victims; to persuade us to
not listen to what other people think.
Divide and conquer. Where possible,
offenders will split staff; they will create
jealousy, hostility and suspicion (Allan &
Bosta, 1981; Hare, 1993). Often, a clue
that someone is being manipulated is
when an employee adopts a high-minded
critical attitude against their colleagues.
Someone may have split them from their
vital support: each other.
Protection 4: Time: Be patient, keep
an open mind
It has been said that ‘time is the enemy
of lies’ (source unknown). Even the most
skilful manipulator will come unstuck
eventually; their wild inconsistent
excuses, their elaborate lies will unravel
and be exposed, to that particular group
Guarding against manipulation by criminal offenders
of people anyway. Reserve judgement;
deliberately keep an open mind. Wait for
more information to come in; obtain as
much information as you can. Test
everything. Compare notes with your
colleagues and pay attention to their
impressions as well. Avoid the temptation
to think you should ‘know’ the person;
that will become evident over time.
Patient observation over time from many
viewpoints is the only reliable way to
identify a clever manipulator.
Protection 5: Self-reflection and
insight
Lets face it, we get things wrong all the
time; we misjudge things. We like to
think that our first impressions are
accurate; when mostly, they are not. Be
prepared to be wrong; a lot. Spend time
noticing how you alter your opinions. Be
accepting of this mental flexibility, it is
vital. Manipulators go to great lengths to
create a positive initial impression (Hare,
1993). They hope you will rely on your
first judgement in the future. Keep
judging. Assume nothing. Sticking with
first impressions is a luxury that
Correctional employees simply can’t
afford. Regularly ask yourself questions
about how you are responding to
offenders. Below are some sample
questions.
Table 4: Questions to ask yourself
Is this person a good talker?
Are they really likeable?
Do they look good?
Do I feel a connection with
them?
Do they remind me of
someone I like?
Is the person similar to me?
Do they have a similar history,
outlook or interests?
Do they feel like a friend?
Do they invite familiarity?
Do they praise me?
Do they confide in me?
Do they seek me out?
Do they tell only me certain
things?
Do they show a lot of emotion
to me?
Do they seem misunderstood
or victimised?
Do they appear weak, sick or
vulnerable?
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Do I feel protective of this
person?
Do they seem a special case?
Do I see them more often than
I strictly need to?
Do I feel angry on their
behalf?
Do I convey requests for
them?
Am I frustrated with the
System?
Is their wellbeing especially
important to me?
Do I think about them outside
work?
Do I share private jokes or
stories with them?
Do I discuss other offenders or
staff with them?
Do I criticise other people with
them?
Do I share my personal
opinions with them?
Do they seem useful or
helpful to me?
Do I call them ‘mate’ or
‘buddy’?
Do I ask their advice about
personal matters?
Do I let them get away with
certain things?
Contrary to what many people think, selfawareness doesn’t come from endless
self-contemplation, it comes from
interacting with other professionals, by
reading, staying informed, discussing
things and developing yourself as a
person (Gutheil & Brodsky, 2008).
Protection 6: Manage your risk
How did you score in the ‘Risk of
Manipulation’ Questionnaire? (Table 1).
Examine which risk factors you scored
highest on and discuss these with a
trusted supervisor or colleague. If your
situation is risky, can changes be made?
If some features of your personality can
be abused, be aware and stay on the look
out. Examine your attitudes, because
these can change; basically we choose
our attitudes. Develop a growing
awareness of how you operate.
A key aspect to psychological
vulnerability is support; it is crucial.
Some people like to go it alone, to be
self-sufficient. Good, but don’t be blind to
the hazards you face. Take care of
yourself. Strengthen yourself and your
relationships by every positive means
that you can, and you will not only be
happier for it, but you will also be a lot
safer from unscrupulous people, who
would love to engineer your downfall.
Our safeguards against manipulation are
summarised below.
Table 5: Safeguards against Manipulation Scale
For each statement below, tick the answer that generally applies to you.
Mostly
1. I
2. I
3. I
4. I
5. I
6. I
7. I
8. I
9. I
10. I
11. I
12. I
13. I
14. I
15. I
16. I
17. I
18. I
19. I
20. I
21. I
Applies to me…
No
believe I can be manipulated………………………………………… have been conned in the past……………………………………….. am strictly professional at work……………………………………. am aware of my vulnerabilities……………………………………… have professional support and I utilise it……………………… have a positive attitude to my work……………………………… am proud of my profession……………………………………………. face conflict and deal with it constructively………………….. avoid familiarity with all offenders………………………………… avoid gossip……………………………………………………………………. am aware of manipulators’ tactics………………………………… communicate assertively……………………………………………….. never show favouritism…………………………………………………. am consistent, a person of my word…………………………….. strictly follow procedures………………………………………………. reflect on my feelings and behaviour……………………………. keep my personal opinions to myself……………………………. keep everything transparent and in the open………………. keep an open mind about people………………………………….. am cautious and vigilant………………………………………………… document things…………………………………………………………….. Guarding against manipulation by criminal offenders
unsure
Mostly
Yes
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22. I
23. I
24. I
25. I
26. I
27. I
28. I
29. I
30. I
31. I
32. I
33. I
34. I
35. I
36. I
37. I
38. I
39. I
40. I
nip game-playing in the bud…………………………………………. am a person of strong integrity…………………………………….. am self-disciplined…………………………………………………………. value all my colleagues…………………………………………………. foster teamwork and cooperation…………………………………. am always fair and impartial…………………………………………. respect other disciplines………………………………………………… am loyal………………………………………………………………………….. take care of my mental health………………………………………. take care of my personal relationships…………………………. communicate with my management…………………………….. seek advice regularly…………………………………………………….. get professional supervision………………………………………….. accept the limitations of my job……………………………………. take command……………………………………………………………….. mean what I say……………………………………………………………. admit mistakes………………………………………………………………. leave my personal issues outside………………………………….. believe strongly in service and duty……………………………….
Safeguards against Manipulation (SAM) checklist by the author
Scoring: The more ‘Yes’ or ‘unsure’ boxes you ticked (honestly), the greater your
safety against being manipulated. Of course, we can be psychologically vulnerable
(E.g. a nice person) and safe at the same time. Ironically, maximising safety means
being aware of our vulnerabilities and managing them as best we can.
No one is ever truly safe from manipulation.
Summary and Conclusion
Acknowledgements
The main purpose of this article is to
safeguard you from being manipulated by
criminal offenders. Many manipulators
are malicious, ruthless and are incredibly
skilled at deceit. Whether you like it or
not, you are exposed to them, and you
are relevant. You have power, and to a
manipulator, power is everything. This
means that you will be targeted for
manipulation over and over again.
Interestingly, manipulators will try to use
your strengths against you and not just
your weaknesses; your virtues, the
things that make you a decent human
being.
I would like to thank several work
colleagues for their valuable assistance
and insight into this topic, notably Ian
Norton and Magda Read. I also thank
Leon Pfeiffer who provided valuable
information and support. I thank Vinay
Sharma at CSNSW Brush Farm Academy
for his encouragement and assistance. I
thank CSNSW for providing a safe
positive environment that promotes
ongoing learning and development, and
makes possible articles such as this.
Alarmingly, manipulators are often
successful; they tend to be discovered
after the event, when damage has been
done. Any many respects, safety against
manipulation comes from professionalism
(CSNSW Guide to conduct and ethics,
2010). As Correctional worker, you have
many powerful tools to keep you safe;
tools such as knowledge, procedures,
teamwork, time, training and vigilance.
Perhaps above all, you have your
colleagues and management. Never
underestimate the value of
professionalism and support from the
organisation that you serve.
Allen, B. & Bosta, D. (1981). Games
Criminals Play: How you can Profit by
knowing them. Rea John Publishers,
Petaluma, California.
Guarding against manipulation by criminal offenders
References
Babiak, P. & Hare, R, D. (2006). Snakes
in suits: When psychopaths go to work.
Harper Collins Publishers, New York.
Barker, E. (2010). Prisons, psychopaths
and prevention: The natural child project.
http://www. naturalchild.org/elliot_
barker/prisons.html
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Australasian Journal of Correctional Staff Development
http://www.bfcsa.nsw.gov.au/journal/ajcsd
Berne, E. (1996). Games people play:
The psychology of human relationships.
Ballantyne Books, New York.
Braiker, H. D. (2004). Who’s pulling your
strings? How to break the cycle of
manipulation and regain control of your
life. McGraw Hill, New York.
Copley, J. (2008). How Psychopaths
Exploit Others: Modes of Psychopathic
Deception and Manipulation.
http://personality disorders.suite101.com
Cornelius, G. F. (2009). The Art of the
Con: Avoiding Offender Manipulation.
American Correctional Association.
Virginia.
CSNSW, Draft Guide to conduct and
ethics (2010). http://dcsintranet.online.dcs.nsw.gov.au/
Organisation/probity-staff-developmentsafety/corruption-preventionbranch/csnsw-guide-to-conduct-andethics
of us. Praeger Press. Westport
Connecticut, New York.
Koenigsmann, W. (2010). What is a
psychopath? Special research project of
the Quantum Future School.
http://www.cassiopaea.com/cassiopaea/p
sychopath_2.htm
Simon, G. (2010). In Sheep’s clothing:
Understanding and dealing with
manipulative people: Revised Edition.
Parkhurst Brothers Inc. Publishers.
Topham, J. (1998, 2008). The Sting:
Anatomy of a Set up. Law and Order
Magazine.
http://www.hendonpub.com/resources/ar
ticlearchive
About the Author
Dodds, P. (1992). Avoiding inmate setups. http://dcsintranet.online.dcs.nsw.gov.au/__data/
assets/pdf_file/0008/174941/avoidingsetups-inmates.pdf
Egan, G. (1994). The skilled helper: A
problem-management approach to
helping. Brooks/Cole Publishing
Company. California.
Gilmartin, K, M.& Russell, R. M. (2006).
The Correctional Officer Stockholm
Syndrome: Management Implications. ES Press: A guide to Law Enforcement
Officers and their Families.
http://emotionalsurvival.com/stockholm
syndrome.htm
Gutheil, T, G. & Brodsky, A. (2008).
Preventing Boundary Violations in Clinical
Practice. The Guildford Press. New York,
London.
Hare, R, D. (1993). Without Conscience:
The Disturbing World of Psychopaths
Among Us. The Guilford Press, New York,
London.
Kantor, M. (2006). The Psychopathology
of Everyday life: How antisocial
personality disorder affects all
Guarding against manipulation by criminal offenders
Bruce Tulloch is 53 years old and spent
the early part of his life working on his
family Vineyard. At age thirty, a serious
back injury forced him to retrain. Bruce
obtained top Class 1 Honours in
Psychology (1990) and won the
University of Newcastle Medal for
outstanding achievement the same year.
He was awarded a PhD in Psychology by
Newcastle University in 1997, where he
lectured for many years. Bruce has
worked for Corrective Services NSW
(CSNSW) since 1996, mainly as a
Psychologist for staff and later for prison
inmates. He has research interests in
Health, Organisational and Forensic
Psychology; and has specialist training in
psychotherapy. Bruce has published
several reports for CSNSW regarding
staff welfare (1999), staff mentoring
(2002) and staff selection (2006). He
currently works as a Psychologist at a
Correctional Centre in Sydney.
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Appendix 1: Common Manipulation Tactics.
Below are some common manipulation tactics; the list is actually endless.
Tactic
Purposes
Safeguards
Seeks
inappropriate or
unnecessary help
Get your time, appear important & persuasive
Get you working for them
prioritise,
stick to business
Flattery
Get you to lower your guard
Let you feel powerful, special
boundary setting
Familiarity
Locate and erode your boundaries
Create linkages, common interests
caution, vigilance
professionalism
Emotional displays
Elicit sympathy, use emotional hooks
boundary setting
Confides in you
Singles you out, find vulnerabilities
team work,
self-reflection
Intrusive questions
Get personal info about you and others,
or about management
zip it,
professionalism
Control tactics
Offender tries to control the agenda,
leads the conversation, avoids issues,
distracts, diverts.
focus,
use authority,
maintain control
Nag
Try to wear you down
be consistent,
assertive
Abuse systems
Officer-shop, try other avenues to get things.
Misuse provisions
Know policies,
apply them,
integrity
Offer help or advice Try to win favour and gain privileges.
Boundary setting
Be unresponsive
Take command,
be assertive
Be passive, helpless, resistant
Try to get control
It’s all about POWER
Manipulation is very much about power
(Hare, 1993). On the surface, many
things are said and done but underneath,
it’s all about power. Who has power?
Who has control? Who is influencing
whom? This means that every interaction
involves a power-struggle, where
dominance is constantly being
established, negotiated and re-defined
(Berne, 1996). Consciously or
subconsciously, the manipulator is asking
‘Can I assert dominance here’? ‘Can I
Guarding against manipulation by criminal offenders
gain control’? ‘Can I influence this
person’? Not necessarily for anything
tangible or immediate; but simply, can I
get control?
It’s an interesting way of seeing social
interaction, not only in Corrections but in
relationships and life generally. Of
course, power is not the only thing
involved in human interactions, but it is
generally involved in the equation. With
offenders, it tends to be especially
important.