The mobsters of the old days
Today's gangsters in Singapore are bullies,spoilt brats,petty criminals and many with no respect for the ordinary fellow citizens. They killed because of the other party staring at them,raped because their female victims are helpless girls and women.
During the 1960s when I was a prison officer, I somewhat "respected" some of the hardcore inmates. They were gentlemen in their own rights.They honoured their words and sometimes fought for "justice". While under my observation,they did not give me much trouble but if they did they were willing to accept any punishment meted out to them.They considered me as their custodian and not as an enemy. Of course, you'll have to earn their respect too.
The Pulau Senang case whereby the prison superintendent and some of his subordinates were murdered was due to the lack of reverence and respect from the inmates.
It was never easy to earn respect from these inmates. Respect is a two way street.If an officer did not respect his inmates how could it be possible for the inmates to respect him?