Hey Mister

Mister is a term of derision for plebes at West Point.

British Prison Staff to Call Convicts 'Mr'

LONDON -- British prison staffers can no longer call convicts by their surnames under a reform plan designed to treat prisoners with greater respect.

The new policy is to be introduced first at Feltham, a young offenders' institution in London, where prisoners are to be addressed by their first names, the Telegraph reported Sunday.

"Staff must address young people in a friendly manner using their first names or Mr/Miss and not by their surname," the Home Office said. "Terms such as young man or young lady might appropriately be used when the member of staff does not know the young person."

The Prison Service has said it will also encourage officers in adult jails to address their inmates as "Mr" or "Miss."

Not everyone likes the change.

"Sometimes it's right to call (prisoners) by their first names," said Brian Caton, the general secretary of the Prison Officers' Association. "Sometimes it isn't. I mean, if you've got a nasty fight going on, you can't just say: 'Oh, young Johnny, stop that,' can you?"