Insights Into Working In a Jail

By CHRISTINA DIABO

Staff Writer

Born and raised in Boston, MA Danielle Paschall has been playing soccer since she was in eighth grade and has always loved the idea of working with people.

Originally, Paschall came to Lynn not only to play for the Woman’s Soccer Team, but to also start a career in the criminal justice field.

During her time at Lynn, Paschall has had to the opportunity to work in places some students would never dream of.

“I first worked for Securitas at the global financial service company State Street,” said Paschall. “Here I was a paid intern and worked with finger printing, surveillance and basically observed in the main security room which has surveillance cameras for State Street buildings around the world.”

The State Street buildings are located in 29 countries that are responsible for protective services. If that was not thrilling enough, Paschall’s second internship gave her a chance to step out from behind the desk and into the action.

“This past summer I was a paid intern at the Norfolk County Sheriff’s department,” said Paschall. “It was a jail; however due to the length of sentences and the severity of the crimes it was more like a prison.”

Working in a prison, Paschall learned a great deal about working in a prison. She worked in many areas, from the case workers who handled the legal proceedings to the correctional officers, who work directly with the inmates.

“In the jail, I mostly observed the case workers and all the legal processes that go on during the time a person is serving time,” said Paschall. “Also the efforts that the sheriff has enforced inside and outside of the jail to decrease the percentage of [re]offenders.”

One of Paschall’s duties also included working with the inmates. Although daunting, Paschall faced the challenge head on and came to terms with the dangerous aspects of the job.

“I worked one on one with the inmates in their units,” said Paschall. “There was no restraints on them which was a bit intimidating the first week I was there but as time went on this among other seemingly unsafe things became a norm to me.”

Although she enjoyed her time working with the Norfolk Police Department and at Securitas, the experiences served to reaffirm her belief that she did not want to work in government or corrections.

At Lynn, Paschall made the decision to change her major from criminal justice to communication. Paschall desires from her job than just work.

“I want to make my own hours and pay I don’t want to just clock in and out everyday,” said Paschall. “I want to have the chance to make my own salary by how hard I work and not to be tied down to only what’s expected of me.”