What is the role of a correctional officer when an interviewee speaks a different language?

• A. Proceed with the interview without translation.
• B. A correctional officer fluent in that language should review the statement, or an interpreter should state exactly what the interviewee said.
• C. Delay the interview until a translator is found, even if security risk.
• D. Use a bilingual inmate to translate on the fly.

Answer: (B)

When someone speaks a language you don’t share, the priority is to capture exactly what they said while keeping the interview safe and properly documented. The best approach is to use a correctional officer who is fluent in that language or a qualified interpreter who can state precisely what the interviewee said. This ensures the words aren’t distorted by paraphrase, keeps the statement faithful to the interviewee’s meaning, and preserves the integrity and credibility of the record. It also helps protect the interviewee’s rights and supports later evaluation or admissibility of the statement.

Relying on the officer to proceed without translation risks miscommunication, omissions, or misinterpretation of intent. Delaying until a translator is found can create unnecessary safety or security issues and disrupt the interview process. Using a bilingual inmate as a translator introduces serious concerns about coercion, bias, confidentiality, and the accuracy of what is conveyed, which can compromise both safety and the reliability of the record.