Correctional Officer

Correctional Officer

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.

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Last Answer on February 10, 2022

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My question is about dental options for inmates. a loved one of mine is missing ALL of his upper teeth, are there any options available for inmates Who require extensive dental services such as implants (even if the family has to pay out of pocket?)

Asked by Kc about 10 years ago

In California there has been some court action and a settlement relating to dental care but I do not have a lot of information on it.  I don't even remember the name of the case.  The basic notion is that inmates are supposed to be able to get the same level of dental care that a free citizen would at state expense.  In the old days bad teeth were just pulled and that was it.  The state would kick down for dentures but I am not aware that they will kick down for dental implants and I doubt that the state dentists even do them, though it is possible they do.  It is also possible that if they are not considered medically necessary but he (you) were willing and able to pay that they could be done.  If it has to be done out of house and the state does not cover it you would be on the hook for the cost and for the security costs involved in the transportation, which would be considerable.  You could simply write the medical-dental department at the prison where he is housed and ask.  If you don't trust them, you could contact the federal receiver (J. Clark Kelso) who has oversight over the California prison system medical care for inmates, which includes psych and dental.   

Is it easy for Correctional Officers to have sex with their co workers on the job?

Asked by Sassy T almost 10 years ago

That depends on the situation.  During most of the day shifts there are a lot of people moving around and during graveyard shift you are usually very busy.  Unless you are seriously into hurried quickies it is nice to have a little time, a little physical comfort and a little security (unless the possibility of getting caught is the turn-on for you).  I would say it takes a certain amount of planning and a certain amount of favorable circumstances.  Easy, NO.  Possible, definitely.  If one of the partners has a fair amount of juice and exclusive access to secure areas it makes it much easier. 

Should I take any action when it comes to my ex, my daughters father, he is selling pot and has a safe of guns and money and I don't want her going over there anymore?

Asked by lunav12 about 10 years ago

Not exactly my field of expertise.  If she lives with you and is a minor, you can and should have some control over her.  However, selling pot is semi-legal in California and have guns and money is not illegal (unless he is an ex-offender).  If, however, he is known ot have drugs and money in the house and is known to be a pot seller he is at increased risk of home invasion robbery.  You might be able to leverage her actions by threatening to turn him in if any of his conduct is illegal, but if she calls you on it and you do not carry through you might be in a worse position than before.  Also if she is still a minor and there is some joint custody you might be able to get CPS involved if you can assert the house is a dangerous environment for her, even if his conduct is not horribly illegal.  There are also safe firearms storeage laws in CA which might give you some leverage, if he is not obeying them.  Good luck with your situation. 

You are a correctional officer supervising a tier. You observe one of the inmates approach a fellow officer, Officer Harris and ask a favor. Because he is a troublemaker, his mail privileges have been taken away. He wants Officer Harris to mail a letter for him. Officer Harris figures it’s not such a big deal; besides, he could make the job easier by keeping the other inmates on the tier in line.

Review all the facts and identify the parties/stakeholders (who is affected by this dilemma) along with the possible moral and legal dilemmas for each party involved. Compare and contrast the possible courses of action that could resolve the dilemma and determine which course of action is the most appropriate. Be sure to provide support for the chosen course of action. The paper must be original and in your own words, no quoting within this project. Make sure that you properly cite outside sources used in your paper (use APA style).

Asked by Shawna over 9 years ago

Let me see, you want me to write your paper for you.  No, I don't think so.  Besides, at least in CA mailing is a right and not a privilege.

Once a inmate goes to the hole is the inmate allowed too still take their classes that are required in under to make parole??

Asked by jasmine almost 10 years ago

I have never heard of a case when that was permitted.  Segregation is segregation.  There is some minimal programming within most Ad Seg units but this is normally restricted to things like yard and other court ordered programs.

If I can follow up on my previous question as to whether cognitive therapy would help inmates, I am curious why you don't think it would help them?

Asked by Neal Bracken over 8 years ago

If I remember correctly Cognitive Therapy theory has been around since the 1960s.  The idea is that behavior, feelings and thoughts are linked (which I expect is correct for most people) and that patients can move forward to overcome challenges and meet goals by changing emotional responses, lame-ass thinking and bad behavior.  It is my belief that the overwhelming number of criminals have made conscious, deliberate choices to be criminals.  They were not thrust into the position by circumstances beyond their control.  I believe that they WANT to be criminals and will, for the most part, continue to be criminals until they are too old, too sick or too dead to continue.  For most criminals this has been a successful mechanism, reinforced by the criminal justice system and the med-psych profession.  Assuming a person's goal is be continue to be a moderately successful burglar-rapist-robber-murderer, I am unsure that we should help them overcome obstacles to reaching their goal.

Is it unlawful for a C/O to date the spouse (babymomma) of someone incarcerated in the jail he works at or used to work at?

Asked by JJ almost 10 years ago

You are talking about jails rather than prisons as far as I can tell.  The rules are different, at least sometimes.  Also, some Correctional Officers working for local jurisdictions are Public Officers, some are Peace Officers.  Different rules there too.  It is unlikely a C/O would be dating someone who is actually in jail where he works.  That isn't exactly dating, though it could be sexual contact.  In most situations in most states ANY sexual contact between custody and prisoners is highly illegal.  It is considered rape under pretty much all circumstances and regularly leads to people getting fired and prosecuted.  In most jurisdictions if a Peace Officer is actively involved with someone who is on probation or parole it must be reported to the employer.  The relationship would be frowned on and might be considered illegal.  It is a very dangerous, and very tricky, situation.