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Mess Up and You'll Get Clowned at the James V. Allred Unit
I've learned a new word since I've been employed as a Correctional Officer at the Allred Unit. The word is "clowned". It is used as a verb, sort of, and although funny, not a very complimentary verb.
As far as I can gather, and observing its use from day to day, to be "clowned" is to be laughed at, berated, or made a fool of. One can be "clowned" by a peer, a supervisor or even an offender, or group of offenders.
You can be "clowned" as an individual, or your whole shift can be "clowned" by a Captain, Major or Warden for slacking off or for some other slight.
You can be "clowned" by offenders who have fooled you into letting then get away with something they're not supposed to be getting away with.
You can be "clowned" by supervisors in turnout for having been "clowned" by offenders the day before.
You can be "clowned" in turnout by co-workers for showing up late or for dressing in a comical manner. You can then be "clowned" by supervisors for having been "clowned" by your peers.
Basically, if you're not careful, you can easily set yourself up to be "clowned" somehow, by someone. For example, I almost made it home one day with my can of pepper spray. I had to go back to the unit and make that long "walk of shame", as they call it, to turn it in at the proper building. I was promptly "clowned" in turnout the next day.
Generally, "clowning" is not mean-spirited, but it sucks to be Bozo!
Maynard Hawkins