{
  "id": 327659,
  "title": "Correctional officers struggle with suffocating 'prison smell' and more",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/correctional-officers-struggle-with-suffocating-prison-smell-and-more",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T00:22:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20260809/correctional-officers-struggle-with-suffocating-prison-smell-and-more"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Correctional officers at Incheon Detention Center are battling a persistent prison odor that has led to peculiar personal hygiene habits. After finishing their shifts, senior officers would shower and apply skin lotion to their hair, leaving colleagues perplexed about the ritualistic practice. This odd behavior continued day after day, prompting reporters to inquire about the cause. The officers explained that the grimy prison smell is impossible to entirely eradicate, so they go to great lengths to cleanse themselves. Some shower multiple times a day, while others launder their uniforms repeatedly. One officer described the practice as a necessary ritual to rid themselves of the prison scent after working inside. The issue becomes particularly notable as the rainy season approaches, exacerbating the lingering odor.",
  "summary": "Every time senior officers finished their shifts, they would take a shower and rub skin lotion into their hair. “What is that about? Did a nightclub open nearby? Are they getting ready to go there?” The same thing happened the next day, and the day after that. Leave work, shower, apply skin lotion to their hair. The behavior was repeated, and there was a certain order to it. It was almost like a…",
  "key_points": [
    "Correctional officers at Incheon Detention Center struggle with persistent prison odor.",
    "Officers shower multiple times a day to combat the grimy smell.",
    "Rainy season worsens the lingering odor issue."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The prison smell has become an occupational hazard for correctional officers, driving them to adopt unusual personal hygiene routines to cope with the persistent and overwhelming odor.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Correctional officers struggle with suffocating 'prison smell' and more",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/correctional-officers-struggle-with-suffocating-prison-smell-and-more-328473",
        "published": "2026-08-09T00:47:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}