[Icelander]

Originally Posted by Kalzazz

Another popular threat to correctional officers is being bashed over the head with blunt force, in particular the classic improvised sap of a heavy object in a sock . . . I'm not offhand familiar with any place that issues helmets to deal with this

The GM decreed that only the SRT guards trained and equipped to handle riots or other extreme situations had helmets.

Originally Posted by Kalzazz

Prisons often have smooth floors of painted concrete or linoleum, and can get wet, so wise COs get non skid boots or shoes (dependent on regulations may get steel or composite toes, but prison may ban this). Rocky, Bates, 5.11, Brazos, Under Armour, Danner, Shoes for Crews are some popular brands (a CO may own several pairs of boots or shoes, so can air and dry between use).

Sharp protective gloves will be bought and used if allowed, as offenders need to be patted down and cells searched.

Good points, done.

Originally Posted by Kalzazz

In addition to concealable vests, there should be suits of riot armor for cell entry teams and the like. These definitely should include face protection. Surprisingly they may not include hand protection, as the team needs to be able to use and apply hand and leg restraints. The cell may be a mess of water and chemical agents and the offender may have stripped down to be harder to grab

The riot gear possessed by the SRT guards does not include face protection. To their detriment.

Originally Posted by Kalzazz

Various improvised weapons may be carried as well. For instance some keys may be massive 'dungeon' type keys the span of a forearm, there may be pry bar type tools for opening food tray slots, or institutional grade kitchen thermometers for checking food is kept at safe temperatures

The guards at Manhanock Asylum certainly learned that anything from a tie to a metal bar from a hospital bed can be dangerous improvised weapons.

Originally Posted by Kalzazz

Ideally all your staff should have a radio and a body alarm

Wow! Thanks for that note. I had totally forgotten the body alarm. The GM has now made a note that the guards carry one, which might very well turn out to be important in case a guard is not mentally or physically stunned on the second they see the PCs.

Guard Roy is the only guard to have gotten a combat turn against Taylor and he opted to use his Mace instead of doing anything else. At the time, neither me nor the GM considered body alarms when Roy had two seconds available to do something upon being attacked and he just Readied a can of Mace and tried to attack with it, but justifying it retroactively, he must have failed his IQ check under pressure.