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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455 Questions

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Last Answer on February 10, 2022

Best Rated

How would you handle a situation involving a prisoner who has told you he was raped?

Asked by Neal Bracken about 10 years ago

Turn it over to the Investigative Services Unit and/or medical department to gather evidence, and file an incident report. 

I retired last year, age 62, from an unrelated occupation. In my early years I was in law enforcement and really enjoyed the work. I'm very interested in corrections and my state will hire me. What are your thoughts?

Asked by Dave over 10 years ago

As long as you can physically deal with the job I see no problem.  I had very good luck with prior military people in the system.  They understood chain of command, following orders, SOP and the desirability of keeping control of situations.  It can however be very physical, and I don't mean just the occasional fighting with people.  Just stomping around on concrete floors for eight hours a day can be very rough on the body.  Good luck no matter what you decide.

Can a person on active probation live with a corrections officer.like brother sister living

Asked by Me almost 10 years ago

I don't know what the laws and rules are in Georgia and it varies from state to state.  If you are actually related, "like brother and sister" I suspect you would be granted permission to do so and I expect you would NEED permission to do so for both the officer and the probationer.  If you are not related and claim to be living in a platonic, non-sexual relationship I suspect that permission would not be granted.  That is, however, only an educated guess on my part.

if someone gets caught bringing in contraband to the prison how long does it take them to get charge

Asked by Be about 10 years ago

It varies TREMENDOUSLY from one jurisdiction to another.  Could take days, weeks or even MONTHS depending on circumstances.

I have an upcoming interview with a female corrections officer for a course I am taking. Can you give me an idea of some good questions to ask her. I am looking at some of the questions you have on here, and some are worth asking her as well.

Asked by Tara almost 12 years ago

I am not sure I understand your question.  I will work from the idea that you are interviewing her for an article for an english writing assignment or a journalism class.  What sort of facility she works at would be of interest, i.e. male or female, adult or juvenile, high security, medium security, medical, etc.  How long she has worked for the department, some particular jobs she has had, that sort of thing would be interesting.  Maybe some details about her basic training and ongoing, in-service training would be of interest.  Possibly some specific incidents she has been involved in (war stories).  Also, there is the classic about hwo does it feel to be a woman in what is still largely a men's field.

Can a corrections officer date a former inmate still on probation? They did not meet while she was an inmate. it was 2 years after the fact. and they did not even know each other while she was incarcerated.

Asked by Gina over 9 years ago

The law, and administrative rules, will vary from place to place.  In California, and I suspect most states, the relationship would have to be reported both to the probation officer and to the officer's chain of command.  It would be at best seriously frowned on and likely prohibited.  A person on parole or probation is still under the jurisdiction of the department and is under constructive custody if not actual custody.  Any personal relationship, especially a sexual one, could be considered to be coercive. 

I have a boyfriend in prison in fl and I've applied to be a correctional officer. Will they make me stop visiting him if I take the job?

Asked by Julia over 10 years ago

I am unfamiliar with the laws and rules in Florida.  If I were to GUESS the answer is no, but you can count on them looking very closely at your background for the job, especially if he is gang involved as they will assume that you to are gang involved.  Also of course assuming they approve you you would not be able to work at the facility where he is locked up.