Employee Spotlight: Indiana Department of Correction Sgt Tyler Meyer

PLAINFIELD -- Tyler Meyer enjoys being a mentor and sharing his knowledge with other staff of Plainfield Correctional Facility.

Among other duties, the correctional sergeant supervises a shift of three correctional officers and is tasked with ensuring all is as it should be in a prison dormitory that houses as many as 300 convicted offenders divided among four units. There are typically around 80 inmates in each unit. Meyer makes certain that each crew of officers is relieved at the shift’s end, radio equipment is exchanged among staff in secure locations, and that each incarcerated man is properly accounted for on a daily basis. He performs security walkthroughs of the dormitories, helps calm any inmate escalation, and sees to it that the facility’s rules are enforced.

All that is vitally important in the corrections field, but helping fellow staff members grow and continue to learn is just as integral – if not more so – as adhering to each day’s strict regimen, in the young officer’s book.

And that’s where Meyer continually finds his greatest joy.

“The aspects that I enjoy the most about my job would be mentoring my officers and watching them progress into positions that require specialty training,” Meyer said. “It’s a humbling experience when you’re able to spread the wealth of knowledge and experience to your fellow officers and have them utilize the tools you provided them to become better officers.”

There’s no such thing as a typical “day at the office” for Tyler Meyer or any of the hundreds of other Indiana Department of Correction staff. And if Meyer’s work sounds like a big job, well, that’s because it is. This is “the big house,” after all, a medium-security correctional facility that is “home” (at least temporarily) to nearly 1,500 offenders as of January 2019. Meyer is one of about 260 correctional staff working at the 55-year-old Hendricks County facility. Though his knowledge and dedication may make him seem like an “old hand” in his work, Meyer is only 26 with about three and a half years of total experience in the field.

Nonetheless, he’s a leader and a role model for other staff, and his educational background, drive, and determination counterbalance the relatively short time he’s spent on the job.

Perfect match

While a student at Indiana State University, Meyer took an interest in the field of corrections en route to getting a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. His first job out of college was at Putnamville Correctional Facility, another medium-security institution in Greencastle, and it didn’t take long before Tyler Meyer, who is also currently serving in the US Army, knew this was the career for him.

“The military and experience that I achieved throughout college have all inspired me to become a part of the Department of Correction,” said Meyer.

Tyler’s military service is also proving to be the perfect complement to his “day job.” Meyer said he sees parallels between the two “in regards to handling adverse situations, maintaining discipline, and leading fellow officers.” He can learn skills in each that will benefit him in both lines of work. 

The corrections sergeant conceded, however, that his line of work certainly isn’t for everyone.

In a workspace occupied by convicted offenders with rap sheets that include murder, robbery, drug-dealing, and any number of other crimes against people and property, it takes a person built of some of the sternest stuff to be successful. You’ve got to be tough to make it in such a place. But it also requires people who retain compassion in the face of those seemingly without any, who expect the best from themselves and others, and who remain committed to IDOC’s mantra and cause: changing lives.

“The qualities and attributes I believe that must be possessed in order to achieve success in this field would be patience, motivation, discipline, and the ability to lead by example,” Meyer said.

In that regard, Tyler and others like him are continuing to raise the bar.

Knowledge of the offender population is a must as well, and the ability to keep a cool head at all times is imperative.

“Officers must be able to remain calm and not react out of emotion,” the officer said.

All IDOC staff must stick to a strict schedule and rigid rules designed to ensure, as much as possible, the safety of all staff members and inmates. Complacency is not an option, and no corners can ever be cut when it comes to safety.

Staying cognizant of those facts is critical, Meyer believes.

“Officers need to find a method of remaining firm, fair, and consistent when performing their duties,” he said.

At all times, they must maintain professionalism, and time management is crucial. Meyer said making certain he manages his time well is a consistent challenge in his career. He has a diverse group of responsibilities and has to find a way to be at his best while performing each – from interacting with inmates to monitoring the performance of other staff.

Breaking in

So what’s the best way to get started on a career in corrections?

“The advice I would suggest when considering a position with IDOC is to contact the facility to complete a job shadow with an officer,” said Meyer. Researching the position and the facility are important as well. In other words: do your homework.

The rewards are many for those willing to put in the time and effort necessary to achieve them.

“The correctional field provides a variety of opportunities and upward mobility,” Meyer said. Some options include becoming a Field Training Officer (FTO), joining a facility’s emergency response team, or teaching firearms usage and safety. Supervisory roles and caseworker positions are other possibilities for those inclined to pursue them. Those working in a non-custody capacity could move on to positions such as caseworker, program coordinator, recreation leader, and more.

The sky’s the limit for those with the desire to reach for it. Sgt. Tyler Meyer hopes his work will inspire others to join the Indiana Department of Correction in the hopes of changing even more lives. It’s a career that is anything but easy, but each challenge is just another opportunity to grow and another experience to share.

“The aspects I find rewarding are mentoring newer officers and watching them progress into becoming great assets for the facility to benefit from,” said Meyer. The other rewarding aspect of the job is [being] willing to deal with convicted criminals with minimal protection in order to maintain the security and safety of citizens outside of the facility.”

Story by Brent Brown, INSPD