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Baghdad mom becomes prison guard

Army News Service

Release Date: 8/25/2003

By Sgt. 1st Class Bill Sutherland

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Aug. 25, 2003) While many Iraqi women are hoping for a way to improve life in Baghdad, one found it. Ask 28-year-old Baghdad mother and resident Zahra Hadi about how her life has changed and she'll tell you about her new job.

She is the first female to wear the uniform of an Iraqi corrections guard -- the only female to wear any kind of police uniform.

Hadi completed a one-week corrections course at the Iraqi Public Service Academy, Aug. 14 and entered two weeks of on the job training with 33 other graduates.

"Not even Baghdad's police department has a female working with them, so this is a bit of history in the making," said Gary De Land, senior adviser to the Iraqi Corrections Service.

The training classes were held by Iraq's Coalition Provisional Authority Department of Prisons. Instructors from the 800th Military Police Brigade provided guidance in the training and curriculum, and assisted in the selection process.

Hadi was a mother and housekeeper living in Baghdad. Her day consisted of house cleaning, caring for her 7-month-old son and preparing meals for her husband. She used to work part time selling tropical fish and setting flower arrangements for weddings.

But when the Department of Prisons ran an ad looking for new prison guards, Hadi knew it was time for her dream of equality to come true.

"I've wanted to do this all my life. I always wanted equality with men. I like competing in a man's world," said Hani. "I think I'm just as smart, and I can do most of those things men can do."

And now, she said smiling, "I can work as a corrections guard, and I know I will practice what I learned on how to be a professional and be treated with respect."

The high school graduate now wants to study languages at the nearby Baghdad University. Her dream of one day going to a university is closer then before.

"I would love to learn how to work as a translator and learn French or English," Hadi said.

Her instructor at the academy was Master Sgt. Don Bowen.

"The students learn the code of conduct, human rights, how to respect others and selfprotection. Hadi is very enthusiastic about her work, and I truly feel she wants a change for her country," he said.

Candidates receive four uniforms and a salary of 100,000 dinars per month, or about 70 U.S. dollars.

"The pay for Iraqi workers is a good wage, since most earn half that much per month," Hadi said.

Army Reserve members who work as civilian correctional guards, bringing with them valuable information and experience, teach the core curriculum.

The group started training Aug. 8, at the Iraqi Public Service Academy, in Baghdad.

The Iraqi Public Service Academy's goal is to hire enough corrections guards to schedule a class for every three weeks. A new class started Aug. 16.