What is one primary reason officers might use physical force?

Officers may use physical force primarily to prevent damage to property because protecting the integrity of the environment and the safety of individuals within it is crucial in a correctional setting. When inmates may pose a risk to themselves, others, or institutional property, physical force can be a necessary response to mitigate those risks effectively. This action is aimed at maintaining order and safety within the facility, ensuring that property is safeguarded and that the environment remains conducive to rehabilitation and security.

While showcasing authority, initiating disciplinary actions, and reinforcing training practices may also be factors in specific contexts, they do not serve as primary justifications for the use of physical force in the same way that the prevention of damage does. The foremost objective during such situations is to maintain a secure environment, which directly involves the protection of property and persons within the correctional facility.