Bob Walsh
Stockton, CA
Male, 60
I worked for the California state system, starting as a Correctional Officer and retiring as a Lieutenant in 2005. I now write for the PacoVilla blog which is concerned with what could broadly be called The Correctional System.
In days gone by sexual offenders were treated very badly by most of the population. There are now so many of them that the only ones who have a very hard time are child molesters (baby rapers). Anybody can request PC for pretty much any reason. They may, or may not, get it. There are a couple of housing units around the state that house only sex offenders, they mostly get along with each other. PC is mostly called "special needs" now days. The department often changes labels to pretend problems no longer exist. The main problem with PC is that they can not mix freely with GP prisoners. Most of them like it just fine that way. Other than that they have the same privileges as other inmates with the exception of some jobs, depending on the nature of their offense and the nature of the job. (This is a bit of an oversimplification. Custody classification and job assignment regulations is actually fairly complex and my knowledge base is stale.)
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The most noticable ones were within the profession. The academy lengthened from 3 weeks to 16 weeks. (It shrank back down to 14 after I retired). We started using papper spray and side-handle batons. Firearms polciies changed so there was fewer discharges of firearms at the institutions. Cell extractions are more controlled and less frequent. They are also video recorded now except in case of emergencies. Custody staff now have the right under the law to carry weapons off duty, before that was a department controlled thing. The entire medical operation is now run thru the federal courts. The overall level of violence in the system has lowered.
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I don't know. It used to be not more than 3 years. It has, I understand, gone up to 5 since I retired and maybe even has moved further.
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I have never been a street cop so I am not sure I can help much. Since you are dealing with Drivers Ed you might ask him/her about the department pursuit policies. That should be moderately interesting.
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We did not use them when I was working. They are obviously temporary devices and not a long-term solution and it can be a problem getting the prisoner into them. Once that is accomplished they are very effective and if you need to move a non-compliant prisoner from point a to point b without hurting him or staff, they work. I think they are a very useful tool.
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Not me personally. I retired just a tad over ten years ago, such things were unheard of then. Other than the perimeter tower staff keeping their eyes open I am unaware of any specific plans for interdicting drones. I am confident that something will be developed, well behind the curve. Correctional systems are almost always reactive rather than pro-active.
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Probably the same thing as tampering with evidence in any other law enforcement setting. Of all of the rules violation reports I have seen I have NEVER seen one for evidence tampering.
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