This paper aims to investigate the understanding and approaches of correctional officers in building relationships with clients in a correctionalfacility and to understand how they negotiate the professional boundaries that are necessary to maintain in these relationships. This qualitative study wasconducted through semi-structured interviews with eight correctional officersworking in different correctional facilities with security level two. The findings indicate that the application of the value “personal but not private”in practice is an individual matter and a gray area. The study shows that correctional officers need to establish close relationships with clients whilemaintaining professional boundaries in order to avoid becoming too personal.Striking a balance between being personal and professional is crucial increating trusting relationships with clients.