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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

454 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on February 10, 2022

Best Rated

What to expect from inmates on your first day??

Asked by acegirl07 almost 10 years ago

You can expect a certain amount of "hazing" and resistance.  The inmates will normally want to see if they can push or fake you out.  Normally on a first day you will be in the company of an experienced officer who will (hopefully) give you a feel for what is going on.  You will, however, obviously be a newbie.  Your uniform will be new, you will not know the language and you will probably seem a little unsure or hesitant.  You will not even know where a lot of things are.  Its not a big deal, and it is not generally speaking personal. 

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

Asked by Be about 9 years ago

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

As a male correctional officer in a prison/jail. Is it possible to have longer hair? Above the collar bone but longer than the ears. Can it be kept in a bun or ponytail tight to your head?

Asked by quinn almost 9 years ago

Every jurisdiction has its own rules on grooming and appearance.  My GUESS is that in most jurisdictions the answer would be NO, but that is a guess and not an informed response. 

In California is a male officer allowed to escort a female inmate to the restroom and watch her urinate with another male officer watching when there where 2 female officers available to take her?

Asked by Love love about 9 years ago

Unless there was something HIGHLY UNUSUAL going on that would be a no.  Observing a urine sample being given would normally be done by MEDICAL staff and not custody staff.

Hello my name is Luis. I'm a criminal justice student and I'm currently writing a research paper about the duties and daily task of a CO in Ca. Can a get a brief description about your job, the daily routine of the job and what programs are available

Asked by Luis A. Gonzalez over 9 years ago

I have been retired for nearly 11 years but I suspect the job has changed very little.  You can get a lot of this info from the CDCR web site from the job application for Correctional Officer and from Title 15 of the California Code of Regulation, which is also available on line.  That is the rule book of the director of the Dept. of Corrections. 

Available programs for inmates differ widely based on a persons custody classification, educational background and length of commitment.

Correctional Officers provide much of the security oversight, custody, control and delivery of basic services to prisoners.  They do the count, hand out mail and housing supplies, provide custody coverage for inmate movement (like to the yard or meals), search cells, search common areas, respond to emergencies.  Pretty much like what you would expect.

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 8 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 9 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.