Why TDCJ officers should rely on all of the above—communication, exit awareness, and eye contact management—for safer outcomes.

Safety on the job isn’t a high-octane trick or a secret shortcut. It’s a steady mix of awareness, communication, and smart movement. Think of it as a trio of reliable tools you carry with you: your words, your awareness of exits, and your ability to read a room without inflaming it. When a scenario heats up, the best approach is often all of the above. Yes—All of the above. Let me explain how each piece works together and why leaving any one out can leave you exposed.

Three moves that matter: a practical way to think about safety

• Communication first

• Know your exits

• Mind your eye contact

If you’d like, picture a hallway on a busy shift. A tense conversation starts with a raised voice, a stance that tightens, and a crowd that could tilt either way. In that moment, clear, calm communication can defuse the temperature before it spikes. Knowing your exits isn’t about paranoia; it’s a built-in map that keeps you in control, even if the situation shifts. And eye contact? It’s not about staring down trouble. It’s about reading it: the micro-expressions, the body language, the small tells that something’s about to change. Used together, these three moves create a rhythm that makes a room feel safer—not because danger disappears, but because you’re ready to handle it.

How communication matters more than you might think

Let’s be blunt: communication often reduces risk more than any hard fast move. When you speak with a steady voice, you project control. People hear that and might settle into a calmer state, even if they’re upset or upset. It’s not about winning a verbal standoff; it’s about making intent clear and avoiding misread signals.

Here are a few practical tips I’ve seen work in the field:

• Speak calmly and clearly. Short sentences, simple words, and deliberate cadence. It helps the other person hear you without feeling like they’re being talked down to.

• Use your tone as a tool, not a shield. A respectful, even tone can douse flames faster than a raised voice ever could.

• Don’t over-talk. Say what’s necessary, repeat if needed, then pause. Pauses can prompt cooperation, or at least give you a moment to gauge the room.

• Be precise with commands. People tend to respond better when they know what’s expected of them and why.

It’s also perfectly acceptable to use your radio or any established protocol to bring in help or to gain a second pair of eyes. The goal isn’t to sound formal; it’s to communicate competence and reassure others that you’re in control.

Exits aren’t a secret weapon; they’re situational awareness in motion

The idea of knowing your exits is a staple of good safety culture, and it shows up in day-to-day operations more often than you’d expect. It’s about mental mapping: where are the doors, stairs, or corridors that can give you room to maneuver if something goes wrong? This isn’t about planning an escape route from a movie scene; it’s about practical readiness so you can respond quickly, efficiently, and safely.

A few concrete ways to stay prepared:

• Do a quick scan at the start of each shift. Note the nearest exits, choke points, and any obstacles that could slow you down.

• Move with purpose, not panic. If you need to reposition, do it deliberately so you don’t create new hazards or misinterpretations.

• Keep escape routes visible in your peripheral vision. You don’t have to stare at every door, but you should know where they are as you work.

• If you’re with a partner, coordinate so you both know who covers which direction and who calls for backup.

Knowing exits also signals to others that you’re prepared. When people see someone who seems aware and unflustered, it tends to calm things down. Confidence is contagious, but it’s not swagger; it’s evidence that you’re in control and ready to act.

Eye contact: balance, reading, and restraint

Eye contact is a tricky thing. Too little, and you might appear evasive or unsure. Too much, and you can be read as aggressive or confrontational. The trick is balance: read the room, and adjust.

A few guiding ideas:

• Use eye contact to establish presence, not to dominate. A steady, calm gaze can signal you’re listening and in control, which often reduces tension.

• Scan with your whole body. Eye contact matters, but so does posture, stance, and distance. A relaxed but alert posture communicates readiness without intimidation.

• If someone is escalating, shift to softer gaze and observe their body language in your periphery. You can acknowledge verbally while giving yourself room to exit if needed.

The idea isn’t to “hold eye contact forever”—it’s to manage a moment so everyone stays safe. It’s about reading cues, not forcing a confrontation.

Putting it all together on the floor

Imagine a routine morning that suddenly grows tense. A conversation starts to circle the drain: voices rise, a crowd forms, and the room feels small. In moments like this, the best action plan isn’t a single move; it’s a coordinated sequence.

• Step 1: Engage with calm, clear communication. State what you want and why, invite cooperation, and keep the dialogue short and predictable.

• Step 2: Keep awareness of exits in the backdrop. Move with intention—never put yourself in a corner you can’t back out of. If things slide, you’ll want the option to move.

• Step 3: Manage eye contact and body language. Maintain a presence that’s calm and steady, and be ready to soften your gaze or step back if someone seems overwhelmed.

If you feel things edging toward volatility, you’ve got to be able to switch tacks without losing your cool. This isn’t a theater performance; it’s your real-time safety system. The better you can blend communication, exits, and observation, the more likely you are to keep a situation from tipping over.

Common misconceptions, cleared up

• “If I don’t stare them down, I’m weak.” Not true. Confidence is quiet and deliberate, not loud and tense. You’re not there to prove you’re tough; you’re there to keep people safe.

• “Eye contact always escalates.” It can, but it doesn’t have to. Read the room. If someone is already wound tight, a softer approach might be better while you preserve the ability to disengage.

• “Exits slow me down.” They don’t. They give you options. When you know you have a path to safety, you breathe a little easier, and that shows.

A few real-world refinements you can carry into the day

• Short, rehearsed phrases. Having a few calm, repeatable lines can reduce confusion and keep everyone aligned.

• Respectful but firm boundaries. You’re setting limits, not issuing ultimatums.

• Body language that matches your words. If you say “we’re here to help,” your stance, tone, and pace should reflect that intent.

• Debrief after tense moments. Quick, honest review helps you spot what worked and what didn’t, without blame. It’s how you grow stronger the next time you face a close call.

The human side of safety

Yes, there’s technique here, and yes, you’ll train with gear, radios, and drills. But the heart of it is human: you want to prevent harm, you want to preserve dignity, and you want to do your job with respect and care. When you weave clear communication, smart awareness of exits, and thoughtful management of eye contact into your everyday routine, you’re not just following a rule set—you’re building trust and safety for everyone around you.

A few closing reflections

• The best safety plan isn’t flashy. It’s practical, repeatable, and adaptable to different scenes.

• When tension rises, don’t panic. Speak with care, move with intent, and keep your eyes on the room as a whole, not just the moment.

• Practice is ongoing. Every shift is a chance to refine how you communicate, how you read a space, and how you carry yourself.

So, what’s your take? In the moments that matter, do you feel ready to combine communication, awareness of exits, and controlled eye contact to keep things steady? If you’re curious about how these ideas play out in real-world settings, think about the small choices you make each day—the way you greet a coworker, the way you scan a corridor, the way you respond to a tense tone. Those moments add up to safer, more confident action when it counts.

And yes, the simple truth stands: All of the above is the right framework. When you treat communication as first aid for tension, when you know your best escape routes, and when you manage your gaze with care, you’re doing more than staying safe—you’re showing up as a professional who can handle pressure with composure. That’s not just good for a shift; it’s good for the people you serve and for the team you rely on. So stay curious, stay present, and keep that three-part rhythm in mind: talk, observe exits, watch the room. The rest tends to fall into place.