In Pennsylvania as well as in many other places, about 3 of each hundred prison guards suffer from a type of more or less serious paranoid. It's called the Katsonusa Phenomena after a guard by a similar name employed in a Pennsylvania prison. The condition is a syndrome of dangerous psychological and behavioral abnormalities. Like most of those suffering from the Katsonusa Phenomena, the guard for whom the condition was named, was aggressive and lacking in self-confidence. He felt threatened and was frightened by all sorts of people and things. He worried and was hostile especially toward those prisoners he regarded as superior to him. The man was pugnacious, combative and angry. More than anything else, he felt the need to control people and things around him because they might endanger him. The guard who gave his name to the Katsonusa Phenomena was middle aged, pudgy, even blubbery, with a soft round face, thinning hair and a girlishly treble voice. He had that Homer Simpson feel of too much beer and not enough sense. One of the first symptoms of the Katsonusa Phenomena is an unwillingness to answer questions or to commit oneself. Those with the condition are afraid to give information or to take a position so they answer questions with questions and behave defensively. They feel so inferior and vulnerable that they must not reveal anything about themselves. It might be used against them. Obviously, may prison guards (and even folks with normal jobs) may suffer from some or all of these symptoms. With Katsonusa Phenomena, however the symptoms are exaggerated and acute. To the casual observer the sufferer is a nut-case. While the syndrome isn't caused by using drugs, it's often made worse by drug and alcohol use. Of course, many prison guards are drunks or addicts. Those with the Katsonusa Phenomena seldom over-indulge because they're too frightened to be out of control. They use drugs and booze as a crutch. In addition, they use many other crutches and try in all ways not to reveal their sense of vulnerability. Those who must deal with sufferers of the Katsonusa Phenomena should be cautious. That's especially true for prisoners and others who are subject to their whims. One can never be quite sure what may make the guard feel threatened or insecure. Wives and families have an especially difficult time so families seldom survive and wives may be come dependent on medications to endure life with a sufferer. Rebecca's Bargain Antiques Collectible Vintage Photos Fine Prints - Old Maps Sheet Music - Old Books Elegant Antiques and Collectibles "May the bird of paradise fly up your nose" Neal Merritt, 1966 You are welcome to use or republish any of our material. Please give www.prisoners.com credit as the source. Return to the Public Enemies Menu Return to the Main Menu. Go to our site's Search Engine Send us Your Comments or Input.