Basic Corrections Officer: Certification Study Guide

Hostages are often considered an advantage to hostage takers because they are:

1. Considered expendable

2. Not to be communicated with

3. Not to be harmed

4. Not to be

The correct answer is: Not to be

Hostages are often seen as an advantage to hostage takers largely because they serve as leverage during a crisis situation. In the context of negotiations, hostages can impact the dictates of a hostage taker's demands; the presence of hostages can create a sense of urgency and compel authorities to respond to the taker's requests. This dynamic enhances the hostage taker’s position and bargaining power, which is why having hostages is strategically beneficial. When analyzing the reasoning, the idea that hostages are "not to be" emphasizes that their mere presence brings significant consequences, as they are typically treated as critical to the negotiations and strategy employed by the hostage taker. The psychological impact on both the hostages and the authorities can create turmoil, which might lead to a more favorable situation for the taker. The other options do not accurately represent the dynamics of the hostage situation. For instance, considering hostages expendable suggests a lack of value to the hostage taker, which contradicts why hostages are taken in the first place. Not being communicated with implies a breakdown of the negotiation process, and stating that hostages are not to be harmed misunderstands the critical impact of hostages on the motivations of hostage takers, as harming them could undermine the tak